Characterization of Zirconia, Titania and Yttria Thermal Sprayed Powders and Coatings

The plasma sprayed ceramic coatings are mainly used in industrial applications where abrasive environments with high temperatures are combined. The coatings properties are affected both the parameters associated with the deposition and very important by the feedstock materials. In this research the morphology and microstructure of zirconia-titania-yttria composites powders and the as sprayed plasma coatings produced were analyzed. The morphology of the rapidly solidified powders and the coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)+EDS and X ray Diffraction (XRD). A laser diffraction particle size analyzer and an image analyzer were used for determined the particle size analysis.  The results indicated that powders cohesion and the size range determined the phases and the morphology of the as- sprayed coating. Thus, the results obtained explain why the abrasion resistance of ZrO₂–10% Y₂O₃–18% TiO₂ coatings was better than of ZrO2-8%Y2O3 coatings.