Specific Measurements of In-Flight Droplet and Particle Behavior and Coating Microstructure in Suspension and Solution Plasma Spraying

Abstract : The plasma spraying of suspensions of sub-micro- or nano-sized particles and of solutions of chemicals precursors produces finely structured coatings that have generally enhanced properties compared to conventional plasma-sprayed coatings. However, most techniques used in conventional plasma spraying are no more adapted to experimentally observe the behavior of the liquid feedstock in the plasma jet and investigate the effect of the operating conditions on liquid fragmentation in droplets, solid particles released by solvent evaporation or formed from the chemical precursors. Also, specific techniques have to be used to study the coating formation and characterize its microstructure. This paper aims to present the main techniques developed or adapted, up to now, to study the plasma-liquid feedstock interactions and characterize the coatings achieved by suspension and solution plasma spraying.