Microwave glazing of alumina-titania ceramic composite coatings

The application envelop of atmospheric plasma sprayed ceramic composites can be widened considerably by reducing/eliminating inherent surface defects by treating them through techniques like microwave irradiation. In microwave processing, microwave energy is directly applied to the material. High-frequency microwaves (> 1 GHz usually) penetrate into the bulk of the material and the volumetric interaction of the electromagnetic fields with the material results in dielectric (volumetric) heating. This leads to higher heating efficiency with faster processing. Ceramics are transparent to microwaves at low temperatures, however, start absorbing microwaves at higher temperatures resulting change in microstructure and material characteristics. This paper presents microwave processing of atmospheric plasma sprayed alumina-titania ceramic composite coatings in conventional microwave heating system and evaluation of the processed materials through XRD, SEM, microhardness survey and surface finish with illustrations. Results indicate microwave irradiation induces densification of the material and possible flow of dominant gamma-alumina phase that leads to glazing of coated surface. Glazed surfaces exhibit enhanced microhardness as well as surface finish. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.