K. Richardt, F. Ernst, J. Zwick, Surface Engineering Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; K. Bobzin, E. Lugscheider, Surface Engineering Institute (IOT), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; K. D. Landes, G. Forster, University of federal armed forces, Munich, Neubiberg, Germany
The number of parameters influencing the plasma spraying process is very high. Only a part of these parameters can be on line controlled, some of them as gas flows, current, voltage and spraying distance easily, others as particle temperature and velocity with substantially higher effort. As differences from parameter values preinstalled or given at the start of the process, the noise factors affect the coating properties in different ways and show big effects on the coating quality.
Nevertheless there is only low knowledge about the significance of several noise factors and about the influence of minor process parameter fluctuations on the coating properties. Because some of these noise factors as for example plasma torch degradation cannot be avoided, the aim of the work is to find sets of coating parameters where the influence of noise factors is minimized. On the other hand process errors shall be identified in an early process stage using appropriate diagnostic methods.
Summary: The number of parameters influencing the plasma spraying process is very high. As differences from parameter values preinstalled at the start of the process, noise factors affect the coating properties in different ways and show big effects on the coating quality.
The aim of the work is to find sets of coating parameters where the influence of noise factors is minimized and to identify process errors in an early process stage using appropriate diagnostic methods.
