High Temperature Material Processes (An International Quarterly of High-Technology Plasma Processes) An International Journal

ISSN for PRINT: 1093-3611

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2007, Volume11

Issue 2

149 pages

DOI: 10.1615/HighTempMatProc.v11.i2

Issue price - $168.00

E. Nogues
SPCTS Laboratory, University of Limoges, 123 av A. Thomas, 87060 Limoges Cedex; and BOC Edwards, 224 bd J. Kennedy, 91105 Corbeil-Essonnes Cedex, France

Michel Vardelle
Laboratory Science of Ceramic and Surface Treatment Processes (SPCTS) XJMR-CNRS 6638 Faculty of Sciences - Univ. of Limoges 123 A. Albert Thomas 87060 Limoges Cedex, France

Pierre Fauchais
Laboratoire Sciences des Precedes Ceramiques et de Traitements de Surface, UMR 6638 CNRS-Universite de Limoges, faculte des Sciences et Technique, conventionne avec le CEA n° M08, France

P. Granger
BOC Edwards, 224 bd J. Kennedy, 91105 Corbeil-Essonnes Cedex, France

The microstructure of plasma sprayed coatings is strongly linked to particle trajectories depending among other parameters on arc root fluctuations. The latters depend on the torch anode-nozzle shape and internal diameter, the plasma forming gas composition and flow rate, and the anode erosion.
Experiments were performed with yttria partially stabilized zirconia (8 wt% yttria) particles with a size distribution between 5 to 25 μm and either a PTF4 or a 3MB GE Sulzer-Metco torch. The PTF4 torch was fed with an Ar-Mb mixture and an arc current of 600 A, while the 3MB torch was fed with N₂-H₂ mixture with an arc current of 500 A. Particle mean temperatures and mean velocities were measured to evaluate the influence of voltage fluctuations on the treatment.
This study shows that the torch working parameters, except the arc current, have nearly the same effects on the arc voltage fluctuations for the both torches. The 3MB torch voltage fluctuations are more important than those for a PTF4 torch, but they are less affected by the variations of spray parameters. Furthermore, the fluctuations of particle temperatures and velocities versus the voltage fluctuations are not the same.

DOI: 10.1615/HighTempMatProc.v11.i2.10 Download article, 161-174 pages

Article price - $35.00

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