Comparative Study of Carbon Nanotubes/plasma Interaction during Various Thermal Spray Processes

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are being increasingly used as reinforcements for toughening the ceramic matrix because of their excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Our research group at Florida International University has performed several studies on use of CNT reinforcement in metal and ceramic matrices by thermal spray processes to show improved wear resistance, biocompatility and mechanical properties. This study focuses on  the nature of CNT/plasma interaction during various thermal spray processes e.g. plasma spraying (PS), high-velocity oxy fuel spraying (HVOF), cold spraying (CS), and liquid precursor plasma spray (LPPS).  A comparison is based made on the CNT microstructure (TEM, Raman) as a function of process characteristics of various thermal spray processes.