An ASM Recommended Practice for Modified Layer Removal Method (MLRM) to Evaluate Residual Stress in Thermal Spray Coatings

Thermal spray coatings are subjected to mechanical loadings in many applications, and there is a need to evaluate the mechanical properties of these coatings. Mechanical properties of interest in the performance of thermal spray coatings include fatigue life, wear resistance, bond strength. Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and residual stresses. One property that has a large effect on the performance of thermal spray coated parts is the residual stress distribution in the thermal spray coating and in the substrate. Thus, it is important to have (1) a fundamentally sound method for evaluating residual stresses and (2) a written recommended procedure for applying the method. ASM International is not a standard writing organization. Yet, the increased use of thermal spray coatings and the need for documentation on methods for evaluating mechanical properties of thermal spray coatings have generated a need to prepare Recommended Practices. To meet this need, the ASM International Thermal Spray Society has formed three subcommittees to prepare Recommended Practices for thermal spray coatings. This paper describes a draft form of a Recommended Practice for evaluating residual stresses in thermal spray coatings. This Recommended Practice is being developed by the Subcommittee on "Evaluating of Mechanical Properties of Thermal Spray Coatings". The method, called the Modified Layer Removal Method, has been presented in several papers and has been used for a variety of different coatings. The paper describes the dimensions of the test specimen, the equipment needed, the procedure for removing layers, and the methods for collecting and interpreting the data to evaluate through thickness residual stresses. The Recommended Practice (RP) is in Draft form, but is presented to let the thermal spray community know about the RP effort and invite comments and volunteers to write other RP's.