Oxidation Characteristics of Thermal Sprayed Cobalt - Based Superalloy Coatings: A Review

Superalloys go through cyclic oxidation which refers to the progression of reputed exposure of materials to alternating oxidizing and non-oxidizing environments at high temperatures. The oxidation behavior of cobalt-based superalloy coatings depends on several variables, including the environment, surface roughness, manufacturing conditions, & coating composition. Because of their higher temperatures and protective oxide layer, coatings with a greater cobalt concentration are more oxidation-resistant. The behavior of oxidation is influenced by surface roughness, where rough surfaces offer greater surface area to oxidation while smooth surfaces decrease interaction with the environment. The microstructure and porosity of the coating are further impacted by processing variables used in thermal spraying, including temperature, particles velocity, and spray distance. Adding reactive components to the coating composition, such as silicon and aluminum, and applying post-treatments like nitriding or sealing are two ways to increase oxidation resistance. A greater temperature and particle speed can lead to a denser with less porous covering, improving the oxidation process resistance. The two typically used heat spraying techniques are high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) and plasma spraying. To increase the resistance to oxidation of thermal spray cobalt-based superalloy coating, some strategies have been devised, such as inclusion of reactive materials, such as aluminum and silicon, which is the coating composition. These elements may establish an oxide layer protecting the coating’s appearance, preventing further oxidation.