Plasma spray forming

Plasma spraying offers versatility and flexibility in the processing of many ceramic materials. Due to specialized high power plasma guns, offering an enhancement of materials throughput, plasma spraying can produce free-standing shapes, pre-forms, near-net and net shapes of a wide range of materials. Using plasma spray techniques, it is possible to form shapes that incorporate ceramic matrix composites, functionally gradient materials and other novel high performance materials structures. Spray forming of ceramic structures will be reviewed, with a discussion will be given of various plasma torches. A survey will be presented of the properties and microstructures of free-standing forms, produced by various plasma spray methods.