Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Plasma Sprayed Al2O3/ZrO2 Nano-Composite Coating

Abstract

Alumina/zirconia nano-composite coating was fabricated by plasma spraying using agglomerated feedstock from fine powders of about 100 nm. The coating was consisted of fine γ-alumina and zirconia crystals with size of several nano meter and some amorphous boundary layers. The amorphous phase was crystallized and disappeared after heat treatment at 930°C. However, the crystallite size was kept under 50 nm even after 1500°C-100hr heating, so the alumina-zirconia nano-composite showed good thermal stability against the grain growth.