Evaluating the Effect of Plasma Spray Coating on Mechanical and Metallurgical Properties of Steel Substrates

Abstract: Many benefits like good mechanical strength, hardness, corrosion resistance, wear resistance and thermal shock resistance do not occur simultaneously and hence the pursuit for better materials always exist. The changing needs of our society demands new materials with enhanced properties to cater to specific needs, due to the limitations of the conventional materials. Increasing demand is there for requirements such as light weight structures and materials (for example aluminium, steel), combined with higher durability, for aircraft and automobile applications. Engine components used in the automobile and the aerospace sectors, where light weight is a necessity, are exposed to high temperatures in the range of 600°C to 900°C, which also demand a good structural strength, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Such pressing needs demand high strength but light weight structural parts with good surface properties. A parallel development is also taking place in the field of surface engineering to enhance the tribological properties of materials. Hence in this project we are coating the metals with plasma sprayed ceramics and study its effects, whereas characterization is done to find out the improvement in properties of metal after coating.