3D simulation of the plasma jet in thermal plasma spraying

In this paper, a continuous medium model and the k–ɛ turbulence formulations are employed to predict the plasma velocity, plasma temperature and argon molar concentration fields in three-dimensional (3D) space. Some important 3D information, such as the 3D continuous isothermal lines, isovelocity lines and the 3D appearance of the plasma jet, are described. This is hard to obtain directly using a 2D scheme. The calculated results will be theoretically helpful for further analysis of the temperature history and trajectories of the entrained particles, particle molten status in the plasma jet, and the deposition of the coatings.