Effect of CeO2on the Microstructure and Properties of Plasma-Sprayed Al2O3-ZrO2Ceramic Coatings

Al2O3-ZrO(2)eutectic ceramic composite coatings with and without CeO(2)addition were prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying. The microstructure and properties of the plasma-sprayed Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO(2)coating were investigated. The results show that the Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO(2)coating contained t-ZrO2, alpha-Al(2)O(3)and gamma-Al(2)O(3)phases. Amorphous phase was found in the Al2O3-ZrO(2)and Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO(2)coatings, which was determined by the characteristics of the plasma spraying process and the eutectic composition of the composite powder. Compared the Al2O3-ZrO2-CeO(2)coating with the Al2O3-ZrO(2)coating, it was found that the Al2O3-ZrO(2)coating with 4 wt.% CeO(2)had lower porosity, more uniform and denser microstructure. The addition of 4 wt.% CeO(2)was beneficial to improving the hardness, toughness, bond strength and wear resistance of the Al2O3-ZrO(2)coating.