The effects of different spray angles (90°, 85°, 80°) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a Y2O3 coating layer prepared using the atmospheric plasma spray (APS) process were studied. The powders employed in this study had a spherical shape and included a cubic Y2O3 phase. The APS coating layer exhibited the same phase as the powders. Thickness values of the coating layers were 90°: 203.7 ± 8.5 μm, 85°: 196.4 ± 9.6 μm, and 80°: 208.8 ± 10.2 μm, and it was confirmed that the effect of the spray angle on the thickness was insignificant. The porosities were measured as 90°: 3.9 ± 0.85%, 85°: 11.4 ± 2.3%, and 80°: 12.7 ± 0.5%, and the surface roughness values were 90°: 5.9 ± 0.3 μm, 85°: 8.5 ± 1.1 μm, and 80°: 8.5 ± 0.4 μm. As the spray angle decreased, the porosity increased, but the surface roughness did not show a significant difference. Vickers hardness measurements revealed values of 90°: 369.2 ± 22.3, 85°: 315.8 ± 31.4, and 80°: 267.1 ± 45.1 HV. It was found that under the condition of a 90° angle with the lowest porosity exhibited the best hardness value. Based on the aforementioned results, an improved method for the APS Y2O3 coating layer was also discussed.

Plasma spray forming is recently explored as a near-net-shape fabrication route for ultra-high temperature metals and ceramics. In this study, monolithic tungsten has been produced using an atmospheric plasma spray forming and subsequent high temperature sintering. The spray-formed tungsten preform from different processing parameters has been evaluated in terms of metallurgical aspects, such as density, oxygen content and hardness. A well-defined lamellae structure was formed in the as-sprayed deposit by spreading of completely molten droplets, with incorporating small amounts of unmelted/partially-melted particles. Plasma sprayed tungsten deposit had 84-87% theoretical density and 0.2-0.3 wt.% oxygen content. Subsequent sintering at 2500 promoted the formation of equiaxed grain structure and the production of dense preform up to 98% theoretical density.