Fabrication and characterization of Al2O3-metal composite coating on steel plate with nonpressure combustion synthesis

Al2O3-metal composite coatings with different reactants and diluents were fabricated on mild steel plate with nonpressure combustion synthesis process. The coat-ings were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spec-trometry, respectively. Thermal shock tests were carried out to determine the bond strength of the coating with the steel substrate. The results indicate that the coating is composed of α-A1203, α-（Fe-Cr） and Al2SiO5 as the main phases. It is found that the coating with the diluents of Al2O3-SiO2 and transition layer of Al2O3-Cr presents the hi.ghest hardness of 2270 HV0.2 and the lowest porosity of 3.93 %. Owing to a metallurgical bond of the coating-to-substrate, the coating exhibits a good thermal shock resistance.