Abstract
The microstructural evolution of partially amorphous, atmospheric plasma-sprayed Yb-silicate coatings was investigated after heat treatment (HT, 1300 °C). Open porosity as well as crack area and widths in the coatings were characterized. A correlation was found between the increasing amorphous content of the as-sprayed coatings and the reduction in crack area due to crack healing after HT. Characterization results also suggested larger crack widths in the coatings after HT. The first crack-healing mechanism proposed was the capillarity-driven viscous flow of the amorphous phase in the coatings. It was experimentally shown that viscous flow-driven crack spheroidization (crack width enlargement), and crack healing started in the coatings at 1050 °C. Secondly, metastable to stable phase transformation (> 1100 °C) induced expansion in the constrained coatings was discussed as a crack healing mechanism. Finally, a two-step heat treatment was designed to prevent crack width enlargement during HT resulting in reduced porosity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
