Thermal Barrier Coatings: An Insight into Conventional Plasma Spray and Water-Stabilized Plasma Spray

Thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems have presented an ongoing design issue in bids to improve the lifespan of coatings. A TBC can support an extended lifespan by repairing cracks between interfacial layers during high thermal exposure while at the same time increasing coating thickness. Two deposition techniques, atmospheric plasma spray and water-stabilized plasma spray (WSP), have been distinguished to understand mechanical and thermal performance based on their contrasting torch systems and microstructural characterization. This insight paper will underline the superiority of WSP coating and the need to leverage existing technology by optimizing better deposition parameters for future fatigue-resistant TBC production.