Microstructural investigations of NiCrAlY+Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 cermet coatings deposited by plasma transferred arc (PTA)

Plasma transferred arc (PTA) deposition process was applied to develop high temperature protective cermet coatings, metallurgically bonded to the substrate. In this work, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) filler with two different particle sizes was added into NiCrAlY to develop cermet coatings. Microstructural characterizations using optical and scanning electron microscopes revealed that the addition of 20vol.% of YSZ modified considerably the morphology of the coating. The formation of tetragonal zirconia, resulting from high temperatures and rapid solidification during surfacing process, was revealed by the X-ray diffraction of the NiCrAlY+20YSZ composite. The microhardness filiation performed on the composites was influenced by the presence of the YSZ filler particles into the composite coatings. [Display omitted] •Plasma transferred arc process was used to deposit cermet coatings.•The alloy matrix was NiCrAlY, reinforced by YSZ filler.•The cermet coatings showed a good metallurgical bonding to the substrate.•Coating microstructure revealed a dendritic growth.•Small YSZ particles were well distributed inside the alloy matrix.