Variables Influencing the Characteristics of Plasma-Sprayed Coatings

Abstract

The electric arc was first used industrially at the beginning of the present century, in the synthesis of nitric oxide from air. At that time, the major interests were of a theoretical nature and little technological progress was made. In recent years the increasing demand for high-temperature materials and heat sources has led to a renewed interest in arc devices. Thus, over the past decade, electric arcs have undergone rapid scientific and technological advancement. Surveys of the current applications of arc devices are given by Dennis et al., John and Bade, Dunham, and Gross et al. The present review is concerned with those developments that are relevant to the process of plasma spraying.