Effect of Spray Distance on the Microstructure and High Temperature Oxidation Resistance of Plasma Spray-Physical Vapor Deposition 7YSZ Thermal Barrier Coating

In order to study the effect of spray distance on the structure and high temperature oxidation resistance of feather-columnar thermal barrier coatings, the feather-columnar ZrO2-7wt. % Y2O3 (7YSZ) thermal barrier coatings were prepared at spray distances of 650 mm, 950 mm, 1100 mm, 1250 mm, and 1400 mm by plasma spray-physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) technology. The surface roughness, micro morphology, and porosity of the sprayed 7YSZ coating were analyzed by 3D surface profiler, SEM, XRD, etc., and the impedance spectrum characteristics of the 7YSZ coating were characterized by electrochemical alternating current (AC) impedance technology. In addition, the high temperature oxidation resistance test of 7YSZ coating under different spray distances was carried out at a temperature of 1000 °C to study the influence of spray distance on the high temperature oxidation resistance of 7YSZ coating. The research results show that the surface roughness and porosity of feather-columnar 7YSZ coating increased sequentially with the increase of spray distance. At the same time, The YSZ grain boundary resistance value increased exponentially as the porosity of the coating increases. Where the spray distance was in the range of 650 mm and 1250 mm, the high temperature oxidation rate constant of the coating increased with the spray distance. However, the spray distance was greater than 1250 mm, and the spray distance had no significant effect on the high temperature oxidation resistance of the coating.