The Application of Low Pressure Plasma Spray to Functionally Gradient Materials (FGM)

A method synthesizing Functionally Gragient Materials (FGM), in which the chemical composition gradually varies, was developed by employing Low Pressure Plasma Spraying (LPPS). Desirable FGM-coating, 30mm in the diameter and 1mm thick on a copper or stainless steel substrate was obtained by concurrently mixing ceramics powders and metal powders in plasma arc. The FGM coating made by this process was proved very resistive against thermal shock under a CO2 laser lighting and a large temperature difference test by a 30kW-Xe arc lamp.