Effect of spraying parameter and injector angle on the properties of in-flight particles and alumina coatings on Al alloy with PA-HT

Bonding strength is one of the most important properties of plasma sprayed coatings, especially ceramic coatings on complexly shaped light alloys, which is mainly determined by the properties of in-flight particles and their flattening behaviors on substrate surface. Consequently, the influence of current, voltage, primary gas flow rate and injector angle on temperature and velocity of in-flight alumina particles and morphology of splats on Al alloy with plasma arc-heat treatment (PA-HT) were investigated in detail by DPV Evolution, optical microscope and 3D non-contact surface mapping profile. The bonding strength, hardness and wear behavior of corresponding alumina coatings were measured by universal testing machine, nano-indentation test and wear test. Results showed that particle temperature and velocity increased with increase of input current and voltage, while their trends were reverse with increasing primary gas flow rate. The droplets could melt Al alloy surface and penetrate into its interior that greatly affected the morphology and corresponding shape factor (SF) of splats. Moreover, reducing injector angle caused droplets to glide on substrate surface and then to form “sole-like” splats. The morphology change of these splats obviously influenced the interfacial bonding strength, compactness, hardness and wear resistance of alumina coatings.