Plasma spray processing of titanium aluminides

Ti₃Al (α2) and TiAl (gamma) are of technological importance to aerospace-type applications due to their attractive high temperature properties. Plasma spraying of fine powder and coatings of Titanium aluminides was carried out to examine the effect of spray parameters on the microstructure and properties of these materials. Characterization of the powders and coatings was performed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and image analyzer. The results show that while plasma spraying is a viable process for forming coatings and fine powders of Ti-Al, the initial particle size of the powder feedstock and the plasma gas composition play an important role in successful processing of the material.