An energetic approach to the wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed alumina-13% titania coatings

The wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed Al2O3-13% TiO2 coatings was determined by pin-on-disc tests that were performed at different normal loads. Conventional coatings, deposited from micrometric powders, and modified coatings, deposited using agglomerates of nanoparticles as feeding powders, were studied. The wear rates of conventional and modified coatings were compared, and the influence of the microstructure was analysed by using an energetic approach to the wear. The enhanced properties of the modified coating were justified in terms of its microstructure. It is likely that the partially melted zones in this coating were responsible for the improvement in the wear resistance via their reinforcement of the ceramic matrix composite.