Manufacturing nanostructured YSZ coatings by suspension plasma spraying (SPS): effect of injection parameters

The suspension plasma spraying process is investigated using shadow imaging techniques to appreciate the different trajectories of the liquid jet interacting with a dc high-energy plasma flow. Then, the modelling of different liquid injections (isolated droplet, train of droplets and continuous jet) helps us to determine which injection type must be preferred. From that, coating depositions have been carried out with yttria zirconia suspension. Trajectory deviations at impact have been measured depending on the injection pressure and injection location. Coatings have been realized under the same operating investigations and their microstructures and mechanical properties have been characterized.