New Improvements of Diagnostic Method PSI III (Particle Shape Imaging) for Determination of Particle Behavior

Coatings produced by thermal spray processes are determined by particle parameters, which can be investigated using various diagnostic systems. In the first part of the paper the different PSI setup are described. Thereby a summary of former publications, presentation of measurements on different thermal spray processes and suggestions of data error evaluations with special difficulties at the particle investigation are shown. In the second part of the paper the new developed PSI III system is focused. Four important particle parameters (velocity, size, shape and position) can be measured and evaluated. In this part the results and test of new different illumination sources, optical configurations and trigger units are discussed. Furthermore interesting ideas of picture processing and data evaluation are depicted and explained in more detail. The complete paper closes with an outlook for future combination with established diagnostic systems (i.e. find the optimal distance) and self developed mobile PSI setup.