Effect of grit blasting and spraying angle on the adhesion strength of a plasma-sprayed coating

A study of the effects of grit-blasting and plasma-spraying angles on the adhesion strength of an alloy (Tribaloy 800) that was plasma sprayed on a titanium-base alloy is reported. Five different spray and grit-blast angles were investigated: 45degrees, 55degrees, 65degrees, 75degrees, and 90degrees. The surface texture in different directions was characterized by the classic average roughness and by a fractal analysis number using a two-dimensional fractal analysis method. The grit residue was measured by an x-ray spectrometer. The study showed that the maximum adhesion strength was close to a 90degrees blasting and spraying angle. However, the grit residue reaches its maximum at a 75degrees blasting angle. From the image analysis of the interface in different directions, it was found that the nonperpendicular grit blasting produces an anisotropic surface. The fractal analysis method showed a rather good correlation with the blasting angle. However, no good correlation between the fractal number and the adhesion strength was found.