Role of thermal spray processing method on the microstructure, residual stress and properties of coatings: an integrated study for Ni–5 wt.%Al bond coats

Thermal spray offers a variety of sub-sets of processing approaches to produce coatings. The various processes are classified based on the thermal spray source (from low velocity combustion spray to high temperature plasma jets) and method of material injection (in the form of powder, wire or rod). However, it is this intrinsic versatility which sets-up variations in characteristics of the applied coatings. Properties of thermally sprayed coatings, including process induced residual stress, are controlled by various parameters of the spraying process. This study examines three thermal spraying techniques with significantly different particle temperatures and velocities. They are air plasma spraying (APS), twin wire-arc spraying (TWA) and high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying. For comparison purposes the recently developed cold spray processed materials were included in the study. For each method, in-flight particle diagnostics was performed; Ni–5 wt.%Al splats and deposits were fabricated and analyzed. Porosity, elastic modulus and thermal conductivity of the deposits were evaluated and correlated to the process variables. Using indentation at different loads and analysis of the indented region, stress–strain relationships for these coatings were obtained. Surprising differences in the properties were observed and were explained based on the fundamental variations in microstructure development. Through-thickness residual stress profiles in Ni–5 wt.%Al coatings on steel substrates were determined non-destructively by neutron diffraction. The stresses range from highly tensile in the APS coating to compressive in the HVOF coating. Various stress generation mechanisms—splat quenching, peening and thermal mismatch—are discussed with respect to process parameters and material properties.