Abstract
The study aims to elaborate a neural model and algorithm for optimizing hardness and porosity of coatings and thus ensure that they have superior cavitation erosion resistance. Al2O3-13 wt% TiO2 ceramic coatings were deposited onto 316L stainless steel by atmospheric plasma spray (ASP). The coatings were prepared with different values of two spray process parameters: the stand-off distance and torch velocity. Microstructure, porosity and microhardness of the coatings were examined. Cavitation erosion tests were conducted in compliance with the ASTM G32 standard. Artificial neural networks (ANN) were employed to elaborate the model, and the multi-objectives genetic algorithm (MOGA) was used to optimize both properties and cavitation erosion resistance of the coatings. Results were analyzed with MATLAB software by Neural Network Toolbox and Global Optimization Toolbox. The fusion of artificial intelligence methods (ANN + MOGA) is essential for future selection of thermal spray process parameters, especially for the design of ceramic coatings with specified functional properties. Selection of these parameters is a multicriteria decision problem. The proposed method made it possible to find a Pareto front, i.e., trade-offs between several conflicting objectives—maximizing the hardness and cavitation erosion resistance of Al2O3-13 wt% TiO2 coatings and, at the same time, minimizing their porosity.
Highlights
Thermal spraying (TS) is an important technology used in the field of surface engineering
The results demonstrated that the coating porosity and hardness depend on the applied process parameters
It can be concluded that the coatings were characterized by a relatively dense microstructure, which proves that the spray process parameters were selected and set in a proper range
Summary
Thermal spraying (TS) is an important technology used in the field of surface engineering. It is used to apply coatings to different types of materials (metals, ceramics, cermet). New methods and materials have been studied, improved and developed for over a century [1,2,3]. Plasma spraying, or more precisely, atmospheric plasma spraying (APS), is the most widely used. TS technique owing to its numerous advantages such as good adhesion strength, high plasma jet temperature and relatively high deposition rate [1]. The quality and properties of coatings depend to different degrees upon APS process parameters. For a more effective development of coatings, Processes 2020, 8, 1544; doi:10.3390/pr8121544 www.mdpi.com/journal/processes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
