• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.229-234
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• 2016

In this study, the degree of particle melting in $Y_2O_3$ plasma spraying and its effects on coating characteristics have been investigated in terms of microstructural features, microhardness and scratch resistance. Plasma sprayed $Y_2O_3$ coatings were formed using two different powder feeding systems: a system in which the powder is fed inside the plasma gun and a system in which the powder is fed externally. The internal powder spraying method generated a well-defined lamellae structure that was characterized by a thin porous layer at the splat boundary and microcracks within individual splats. Such micro-defects were generated by the large thermal contraction of splats from fully-molten droplets. The external powder spraying method formed a relatively dense coating with a particulate deposition mode, and the deposition of a higher fraction of partially-melted droplets led to a much reduced number of inter-splat pores and intra-splat microcracks. The microhardness and scratch resistance of the $Y_2O_3$ coatings were improved by external powder spraying; this result was mainly attributed to the reduced number of micro-defects.