Elastic and conductive properties of plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings in relation to their microstructure: An overview

Abstract

This article focuses on micromechanics-based models that explicitly express the elastic and conductive properties of plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings in terms of relevant microstructural parameters. These parameters reflect, in an integral way, the density and the orientation distribution of microcracks; they apply to strongly oblate pores as well. On the other hand, the porosity parameter usually plays a secondary role. Partial contacts between crack faces-a factor of major importance-are reflected via appropriate reduction of crack densities. The effect of various "irregularities" of crack shapes is discussed. Case studies of YSZ coatings demonstrate how the micromechanics-based modeling can be used and directly interfaced with 2-D image data. © 2009 ASM International.