Evaluation of microhardness and elastic modulus of thermally sprayed nanostructured zirconia coatings

Results concerning microhardness and roughness (R-a) of plasma sprayed coat ings fabricated from nanostructured partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) fee dstock are presented. Nanostructured zirconia particles were plasma sprayed (Ar/H-2) at three power levels, with two argon flow rates at two spray dis tances. The results indicate that the microhardness, elastic modulus and ro ughness of the nanostructured zirconia coatings exhibit the following trend s: the smoother the roughness, the higher the microhardness and elastic mod ulus. It was found that roughness is an indicator of the coating state that reflects the intrinsic microstructure of the coatings. It was ascertained that a surface profilometer could be used to determine the level of microha rdness and elastic modulus as a non-destructive and in situ test by simple comparison with standard samples. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.