Abstract: A gas distribution ring assembly for a plasma spray system includes a gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof. The assembly also includes a separate positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray system.

Abstract: A coating system and process for protecting component surfaces exposed to sulfur-containing environments at elevated temperatures. The coating system includes a sulfidation-resistant overlay coating that is predominantly niobium or molybdenum.

Abstract: An adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, an adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus includes: a plasma spray gun body having a fore portion and an aft portion; and a first coupler configured to removably attach to the plasma spray gun body at the aft portion, the coupler including: a first portion having a first axial opening configured to removably attach to the plasma spray gun body at the aft portion; and a second portion having a second axial opening configured to removably attach to one of an electrode body or a second coupler.

Abstract: A method for depositing a powder metal onto a surface of the substrate and a substrate with conductive elements provided on a surface of the substrate are disclosed. The conductive elements are formed by cold spray depositing at least one layer of powder metal onto the surface of the substrate to form at least one conductive element on the surface of the article.

Abstract: A nozzle for use with a spray coating gun for applying a coating material to a substrate. The nozzle includes a discharge portion operative to emit the coating material therefrom. The nozzle also includes a material-receiving portion operative to receive feedstock therein. The discharge portion is angled from the material-receiving portion such that the coating material is discharged from the discharge portion and impacts and bonds with a region of the substrate. The discharge portion can be positioned to apply the coating material in various locations.

Abstract: A process for erosion testing of a specimen article includes securing a test specimen in a test rig; measuring physical characteristics of the test specimen article; using a thermal spray coating apparatus, flowing incident particles at the test specimen; and re-measuring the physical characteristics of the test specimen.

Abstract: Different plasma spray guns have differing current and voltage requirements for their operation. The spray guns generally fall into low voltage high current and high voltage low current types. The power requirements of the guns vary greatly in terms of overall power ranging from few tens of kilowatts to few hundreds of kilowatts. The guns also have wide ranging requirements for voltage and current. A power delivery unit is described in which the unit is capable of delivering the wide range of power as well as the wide ranges of voltage and current. A plasma spray system with such power delivery unit can universally operate both the low voltage high current and high voltage low voltage spray gun types. Such system can reduce capital and operation costs since shops need not maintain separate and incompatible plasma spray systems.

Abstract: A coating system and process for protecting component surfaces exposed to sulfur-containing environments at elevated temperatures. The coating system includes a sulfidation-resistant overlay coating that is predominantly niobium or molybdenum.

Abstract: A coating system and process for protecting component surfaces exposed to sulfur-containing environments at elevated temperatures. The coating system includes a sulfidation-resistant overlay coating that is predominantly niobium or molybdenum.

Abstract: A spray coating process and apparatus suitable for depositing coatings on surfaces of components, and particularly surfaces that are difficult to access with conventional cold spraying equipment. The process and apparatus employ a spray gun having a tubular body with a longitudinal axis and an exit at one end thereof. The body has a first portion defining a converging passage, a second portion defining a diverging passage that defines the exit of the body, and a throat portion therebetween that defines a throat between and connecting the converging and diverging passages. The gun is further equipped with at least one gas inlet for introducing a gas upstream of the converging passage, and at least one feedstock inlet for introducing a feedstock at or immediately upstream of the throat.

Abstract: An article comprises a first outer layer; a second intermediate layer; and a substrate; wherein the second intermediate layer contacts the first outer layer at a first interface and the substrate at a second interface. The first outer layer comprises Al2O3—TiO2 and the second intermediate layer comprises a functionally graded material. The functionally graded material comprises a composition proximate the first interface being substantially free of Al2O3—TiO2 and at the second interface having Al2O3—TiO2 in amounts substantially equal to the first outer layer.

Abstract: An article, such as a bucket, a blade, a nozzle, a vane, a strut, a fuel nozzle, a combustion casing, and a transition piece, the article having a damping coating comprising approximately 8 wt % to approximately 15 wt % Y2O3 and approximately 19 wt % to approximately 28 wt % Ta2O5 with the balanced weight of ZrO2 is presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing an article having a wetting-resistant surface. The method includes providing a substrate. The method further includes disposing a coating mixture on a surface of the substrate, wherein the coating mixture comprises a braze material and a texture-providing material. The method further includes heating the braze material to bond the texture-providing material to the surface of the substrate to form the article having the wetting-resistant surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing an article having a wetting-resistant surface. The method includes providing a mixture comprising a plurality of micron-sized first particles and a plurality of nano-sized second particles, and a binder; depositing the mixture onto a substrate to form a wetting-resistant surface via a thermal spray process. The mixture is deposited without substantial melting of the first and second particles. The wetting-resistant surface has wettability sufficient to generate, with a reference fluid, a static contact angle of greater than about 90 degrees.

Abstract: An adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, an adjustable plasma spray gun apparatus includes: a plasma spray gun body having a fore portion and an aft portion; and a first coupler configured to removably attach to the plasma spray gun body at the aft portion, the coupler including: a first portion having a first axial opening configured to removably attach to the plasma spray gun body at the aft portion; and a second portion having a second axial opening configured to removably attach to one of an electrode body or a second coupler.

Abstract: A method is provided for high velocity air plasma spraying (APS) application of a protective coating system, such as a bond coat with or without an overlying ceramic thermal barrier coat, to a superalloy metal substrate. Application of MCrAlY alloy bond particles (where M is at least one of iron, cobalt, or nickel) onto the metal substrate is maintained at a particle velocity of at least 400 meters per second (m/s), for example within a range of 400 m/s to 700 m/s. The resulting bond coat on the metal substrate has a surface roughness of about 300 to about 500 ?inch Ra, and a density of at least 90% of theoretical density. The protective coating may include a ceramic thermal barrier coat applied over the bond coat by any suitable process.

Abstract: A spray coating process and apparatus suitable for depositing coatings on surfaces of components, and particularly surfaces that are difficult to access with conventional cold spraying equipment. The process and apparatus employ a spray gun having a tubular body with a longitudinal axis and an exit at one end thereof. The body has a first portion defining a converging passage, a second portion defining a diverging passage that defines the exit of the body, and a throat portion therebetween that defines a throat between and connecting the converging and diverging passages. The gun is further equipped with at least one gas inlet for introducing a gas upstream of the converging passage, and at least one feedstock inlet for introducing a feedstock at or immediately upstream of the throat.

Abstract: A gas distribution ring assembly for a plasma spray system includes a gas distribution ring including a plurality of openings allowing a gas to pass to an inner diameter thereof. The assembly also includes a separate positioning ring axially aligned with the gas distribution ring between the gas distribution ring and an electrically charged outlet of the plasma spray system.

Abstract: A process for erosion testing of a specimen article includes securing a test specimen in a test rig; measuring physical characteristics of the test specimen article; using a thermal spray coating apparatus, flowing incident particles at the test specimen; and re-measuring the physical characteristics of the test specimen.

Abstract: A coating system and process for protecting component surfaces exposed to sulfur-containing environments at elevated temperatures. The coating system includes a sulfidation-resistant overlay coating that is predominantly niobium or molybdenum.