Plasma Spraying of Liquids: a Way to Novel Coatings

Abstract

Plasma spraying of liquids (suspensions and solutions) has recently emerged as a route to deposit novel coatings with interesting microstructures and properties. This thesis briefly introduces selected characteristics of this coatings preparation technology, including coating formation, optimization, testing and potential applications. Eight selected papers illustrate the gradual progress which has been made by the applicant and his team during the last decade in the field of high-throughput plasma spraying of suspensions and solutions with hybrid water/argon-stabilized plasma (WSP-H) technology. The most important outcome of the thesis is that understanding of fundamental processes taking place during the coating build-up coupled with development of unique methods and hardware enabled reliable deposition of coatings with tailored microstructures and properties usable in various applications, in particular thermal barrier coatings.