Effect of Spraying Powders Size on the Microstructure, Bonding Strength, and Microhardness of MoSi 2 Coating Prepared by Air Plasma Spraying

Abstract

Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂) coatings were deposited on carbon steel by air plasma spraying technology with different feedstock powder sizes (i.e., powder A: −15 + 2.5 μm, powder B: −30 + 15 μm, powder C: −54 + 30 μm, powder D: −74 + 54 μm and powder E: −106 + 74 μm). Phase composition and microstructure of coatings were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope. The bonding strength and microhardness of coatings were also evaluated. The XRD results show that there exists mutual transformation between T-MoSi₂ and H-MoSi₂ phase and part of Mo-rich phases are formed because of oxidization during the spraying process. With the increase of spraying powders size, the content of Mo-rich phases (Mo or Mo₅Si₃) and molybdenum oxide (MoO₃) in coatings decreases, and that of disilicide-rich phase (MoSi₂) in coatings increases. The oxidation degree of MoSi₂ particle gradually decreases during the spraying process with the increase of spraying powders size. The MoSi₂ is the main phase of the as-sprayed coatings when the spraying powders size is beyond 30 μm. With the increase of spraying powders size, the porosity of the as-sprayed coating increases, and the bonding strength of the coating gradually decreases. The hardness of coatings first increases and then decreases with the increase of spraying powders size.