Effect of some parameters on microstructure and hardness of alumina coatings prepared by the air plasma spraying process

The spraying distance, substrate temperature, coating thickness and surface roughness of substrate during deposition play an important role on the plasma spray coating process and effect the final properties of the coatings. Al2O3 coatings on AISI 304 L stainless steel substrate were prepared to investigate the effects on the coating of these parameters. The results indicated that the parameters such as the spraying distance, substrate temperature, coating thickness and substrate roughness were fairly effected the hardness, porosity and surface roughness of Al2O3 coatings. The lowest surface roughness and the lowest porosity and the highest hardness values of Al2O3 coating were obtained for the spraying distance of 12 cm. and the surface roughness of 3.28 mum and the substrate temperature of 500 degreesC. It also found that the increases of coating thickness were lowered the hardness and enhanced the porosity and the coating roughness. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.