Microstructure characterization of D-gun sprayed Fe–Al intermetallic coatings

Abstract

Intermetallic Fe–Al type coatings about 100 μm thick were deposited on a plain carbon steel substrate by D-gun spraying technique. The 40–75 μm size fraction of the feedstock powder was obtained by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and sieved prior to D-gun spraying. This powder contained a mixture of Fe–Al type intermetallic phases conventionally appointed Fe x Al y . The Fe–Al coatings were analysed by transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and semi-quantitative energy-dispersive X-ray analysis in micro-areas. Particular attention was paid to the substructure of the individual grains in the coating zone abutting the steel substrate. The Fe–Al coatings have a multi-layer composite structure. The results explain the formation mechanism of the coating microstructure. The powder particles, which were heterogeneous in chemical composition and structure, were heated, highly softened or even partially melted and oxidised while flying from the gun barrel to the substrate. After impacting the substrate or previously deposited material and being shot peened by the following powder particles, they were rapidly cooled and plastically deformed, creating overlapping splats. In the zone adjacent to the substrate, alternating FeAl and Fe 2Al 5 intermetallic phases formed columnar crystals. The columnar crystal areas were separated by elongated amorphous oxide layers. Areas of mixed equiaxed subgrains of FeAl and Fe 3Al phases, fine grains of Fe-rich Fe(Al) solid solution, and micro- and nano-pores were also present.