Adaptive Control of the Atmospheric Plasma Spray Process for Functionally Graded Thermal Barrier Coatings

Figure 1

Schematics of a single torch-dual injector APSP for producing an FGC. The plasma produced by the injection of Ar and H₂ into the torch exits from it at a very high temperature and speed. Powder particles injected into the plasma travel with it to the substrate and upon impact are deposited on it. The y- and z-axes are, respectively, along and perpendicular to the plasma jet. Particles’ axial velocity and temperature are monitored in the 1 cm-wide observation window located near the substrate to be coated. The particles shown are neither from experiments nor from simulations.