Plazmové stříkání nanokeramiky - oxidu hlinitého a zirkoničitého

A novel material has been plasma sprayed by water stabilized plasma torch (WSP®) in order to achieve nanocrystalline microstructure. The new material is composed of three main compounds, namely corundum (alpha Al2O3), baddeleyite (monoclinic ZrO2), and glassy phase (SiO2). The ratio of Al2O3 – ZrO2 compounds is close to that of their respective eutectic alloy. Both dense coatings and free standing parts were produced with the new material, which sprays very well by WSP®. Spraying parameters were varied and molten particles were monitored in flight. The coatings exhibit very low porosity and high hardness. The as-sprayed material is mostly amorphous with some nanocrystalline grains of aluminum and zirconium oxide present. The microstructure of the newly sprayed material was studied by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) and was found to be very complex. Upon annealing, the as-sprayed material fully crystallizes at around 950ºC. Selected mechanical properties were measured as well