In-flight particle characteristics control by implementing a fuzzy logic controller

An approach based on a fuzzy logic controller was implemented to control and regulate the atmospheric plasma spray processing parameters (arc current intensity, total plasma gas flow, hydrogen content) to the in-flight particle characteristics (average surface temperature and velocity). The specific case of predicting plasma power spray process parameters to manufacture grey alumina (Al2O3-TiO2, 13% by wt.) coatings was considered. This composition was selected due on the one hand to the large literature depicting coating characteristics and on the other one to pre-existing databases. The influence of the plasma spray process on the in-flight particle characteristics was investigated in order to build the experimental database.