Comparison of Isothermal Oxidation and Thermal Shock Properties of CoNiCrAlY Coating Sprayed by Atmospheric Plasma Spray and Nitrogen Gas Shrouded Plasma Spray Methods

In this research, the properties of the coating applied by conventional plasma spray and with inert gas shroud has been studied and compared, in the way that nozzle like part attached to plasma gun in order to protect the plasma jet by exiting nitrogen from the nozzle. The Microstructural characterization of the coatings was performed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscope. Hardness of coatings is also measured by Vickers method under the applied load of 30 gram-force. Isothermal oxidation and thermal shock tests are done at 1000 and 950ºC respectively. Post-spray results show that the use of nitrogen gas shroud is useful and coating achieved by nitrogen shroud has less oxide and porosity and has more homogeneous structure. Results from isothermal oxidation show that TGO layer growth rate in the specimen sprayed by nitrogen shroud is less. Thermal shock test shows that the specimen sprayed by nitrogen shroud has more resistance against thermal shock due to layer by layer and regular growth of TGO and having less oxide and porosity in comparison with the same specimen sprayed without nitrogen shroud. Also, the microhardness of sprayed coating without nitrogen shroud was 35 Vikers more than the applied coating with nitrogen shroud.