Al2O3/Al Cermets by Plasma Spraying: Optical Response of Experimental and Numerically Represented Materials

Optical properties of plasma-sprayed coatings and numerically represented samples were studied at wavelengths ranging from visible to mid-infrared. The paper focuses on Al2O3 and Al2O3/Al cermet coatings with different metal concentrations. Microstructure and composition of the samples were characterized in order to explain their optical response that is highly dependent on volume and/or surface scattering as a function of the wavelength range. 2D scanning electron microscopy and 3D x-ray microtomography images were exploited to get statistical data in order to numerically represent simplified samples from the complex microstructure of plasma-sprayed coatings. A Monte Carlo ray-tracing model, based on geometrical optical laws, was then applied to reproduce experimental trends of the acquired optical spectra. Good agreement with the experimental data was obtained.