Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
A systematic study was made of the characteristics of a microprocessor controlled powder feeder in view of its utilization for the deposition of graded coating. The unit tested had the capability of feeding three different powders at rates which could be continuously varied up to about 40 g/min. MgOZrO2. was deposited on a stainless steel substrate using a series of thin (Ni/Cr)-Zirconia coats as intermediate layers. The results showed that such a technique could provide a valuable means of achieving a precise and effective control on the composition of the intermediate layers which can have important effects on the final quality of the deposit.