Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Thermal Spray Coatings Using Micropillar Compression Test

Evaluating the mechanical properties of thermal spray coatings has traditionally relied on methods such as Vickers hardness and nanoindentation test. However, these methods offer limited insight into the effect of internal defects in coatings on mechanical performance. To address this gap, we applied micropillar compression test to assess the mechanical properties of thermal spray coatings, considering the influence of coating microstructures and defects. Various thermal spray coatings with different microstructures were produced and fabricated into micropillar for mechanical testing. The results provided valuable insights into the correlation between coating microstructure and mechanical properties, allowing a more comprehensive understanding of how microstructural variations impact coating strength and resilience.