The Weibull Distribution of Microhardness in Plasma Sprayed NiCrAl/AT13 Nanostructured Ceramic Coating
Al2O3-13% TiO2 based nanostructured ceramic coatings were prepared on the surface of NiCrAl alloy by Plasma Spraying technology. Compared to the micron ceramic coating (MCC), the average value of hardness of nanostructured ceramic coating (NCC) was much higher than that of MCC, and the NCC presents typical bi-modal distribution. The Weibull distribution of both coatings exhibited apparently dispersible, but NCCs was quite well-distributed. The relationship between microhardness and microstructure were analyzed through SEM, XRD and TEM. The results indicate that the microcracks of NCC are fine and the size of particles is small. The structure of NCC coatings contained more α-Al2O3 and TiO2 and less γ-Al2O3 than that of MCC coatings. According to TEM analysis, it can be considered that the grain refinement, toughening of microcracks, and the dispersive refinement of Al2O3 nanoparticles on Al2O3-TiO2 matrix are main mechanisms to improve the mechanical properties of NCC.