LAUSR

Abstract In the present investigation, yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) splats and coatings are plasma sprayed onto 316L stainless steel with different temperatures. The influence of deposition temperature on the changes in splats behaviors, microstructure, hardness, toughness, cohesive strength and residual stress of YSZ coatings are systematically investigated. Results show that the deposition temperature has a significant influence on the flattening behavior of YSZ splats, while the oxide layer generated onto the surface modifies the wettability of molten YSZ splats, leading to the diffusion of Zr cations into it and thereby increasing the interfacial bonding. The deposition temperature exhibits little influence on the phase composition of plasma-sprayed YSZ coating. The increase of deposition temperatures smooths as-sprayed surface, decreases microcracks and densifies the microstructures. Particularly remarkable is the huge boost in hardness, toughness and cohesive strength resulted from the regulation of deposition temperatures. Moreover, a desirable compressive residual stress could be achieved by adjusting the deposition temperature.