Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Plasma spraying of two yttria powders with different morphology (agglomerated and porous vs fused and dense) was investigated. Coatings were produced on steel and TZM (Ti-Zr-Mo alloy) substrates. Coatings microstructure, both degree of melting of particles and coating density, were measured by metallographic techniques and successfully related to plasma processing parameters. Microstructure were explained by particles behavior in the plasma jet. Yttria coatings were deposited on graphite using molybdenum as an interlayer to match thermal expansion differences and interfaces have been characterized by SEM observation.