Optimisation of vacuum plasma spraying for composite production

Conference item

The porosity and surface roughness of plasma sprayed composite monotapes are important factors controlling final composite quality in the manufacture of metal matrix composites by plasma spraying. In order to minimise porosity and surface roughness, the effects of vacuum plasma spray parameters on the porosity and the surface roughness of a Al-12wt%Si monolithic alloy have been evaluated by an experimental design method. The results showed that powder size, hydrogen gas flow rate, and powder feed rate had a strong effect on porosity and surface roughness. Statistical analysis of experimental results has been used to improve the quality of plasma sprayed deposits by prediction of optimised vacuum plasma spray parameters. Subsequent monolithic deposit manufacture under optimum conditions gave good agreement with predicted porosity and surface roughness. Optimised conditions were then used to fabricate Al-12wt%Si monotapes reinforced with stainless steel fibres with minimum porosity and surface roughness. After monotape consolidation, the fibres retained their regular spacing, which may be attributed to the small amount of matrix plastic flow required for full consolidation.

Authors: Baik, K; Grant, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: EUROMAT 97 - PROCEEDINGS OF THE 5TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON ADVANCED MATERIALS AND PROCESSES AND APPLICATIONS: MATERIALS, FUNCTIONALITY and DESIGN, VOL 1
• Pages: 341-346
• Publication date: 1997-01-01
• Event title: 5th European Conference on Advanced Materials and Processes and Applications (EUROMAT 97)
• ISBN: 9080351318