Microstructure development during plasma spraying of molybdenum part 2: Coating microstructure and properties

This is part II of the two part paper based on international collaboration between the University of Limoges, France and the State University of New York, Stony Brook, USA, aimed at fundamental understanding the relationship between processing condition and microstructure development and properties of thermally sprayed materials. In this study, the effects of deposition temperature on the microstructure and properties development of molybdenum coating was investigated. It is found that with the increase of steel substrate temperature, the molybdenum splat morphology changes from fragmented to more contiguous disk-like shape. The splats on molybdenum substrate show predominantly disk shape. With the increase in deposition temperature, the coating exhibits better lamellar structure with less interlayer pores and debris. The fracture characteristics changes gradually from interlamellar to trans-lamellar and thermal conductivity is enhanced. Higher deposition temperature improves dramatically the adhesion and bonding of the splats, therefore the physical and mechanical properties of coatings.