Abstract: In order to overcome the limitations of low adhesion strength and poor thermal-shock resistance of pure ceramic coatings, Cu-Al2O3 gradient coatings were fabricated by plasma spraying. The microstructure and distribution of Cu-Al2O3 gradient coatings were analyzed. The adhesion strength, thermal-shock resistance and porosity of the coatings were tested. The results show that the composition of the gradient coatings has a gradient distribution along the thickness of coatings. As copper has a relatively low melting point and the molten copper has good wettability on the surface of Al2O3, it can be melted sufficiently and could fill the interstices and pores among the spraying particles effectively, thus improves the adhesion strength, thermal shock resistance and reduces the porosity. The adhesion strength of the gradient coating is 15.2 MPa which is two times of that of the double-layer structure coating.

Key words: Plasma spraying, Gradient coating, Coating porosity, Adhesion