Thermal shock resistances of nanostructured and conventional zirconia coatings deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying

Nanostructured and conventional zirconia coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying and the thermal shock resistances of as-sprayed coatings were investigated by the water quenching method. The results showed that the nanostructured as-sprayed coating possessed better thermal shock resistance than the conventional coating. This phenomenon is explained in terms of the difference in microstructure and microstructural changes occurring during thermal shock cycling.