Low load abrasive wear behaviour of plasma spray and laser-melted plasma coatings

Abstract

Low load abrasive wear characteristics of plasma spray and laser-melted plasma coatings have been determined using the block-on-cylinder test configuration. Marked differences observed between the wear behaviours of plasma coating and of the melted layer were attributed to the removal of the faults inherent to the plasma spray coating and significant changes in the composition due to the laser melting. The structure of the layer is prone to rapid wear by a delamination mechanism. Plasma coat melting by laser removes the flaws, generating an adherent wear-resistant layer exhibiting a wear behaviour similar to that of hardened wrought steels.