Oxidation resistant coatings of ZrO2 and ZrO2-Y2O3 applied by high energy pulse plasma deposition

A novel surface treatment technique has been developed for producing coatin gs of ZrO2 and ZrO2-Y2O3 on the surface of metals, ceramics or polymers by using high-energy pulse plasma. The present study was concentrated on the b asic mechanism and the effects of operation conditions on the coating quali ties. It was shown that the oxidation resistance of 18-8 stainless steel wa s markedly improved by applying ZrO2 and ZrO2-Y2O3 coatings. The oxidation rates were reduced by a factor of 20, and the amounts of the oxide scale sp allation were reduced by a factor of 100 - 300. It is believed that the imp rovements of the oxidation resistance were caused by the promotion of selec tive oxidation of Cr in the steel.