Preparation and characterization of molybdenum disilicide coating on molybdenum substrate by air plasma spraying

MoSi2 oxidation protective coatings on molybdenum substrate were prepared by air plasma spraying technique (APS). Microstructure, phase composition, porosity, microhardness and bonding strength of the coatings were investigated and determined. Oxidation behavior of the coating at high temperature was also examined. Results show that composition of the coatings is constituted with MoSi2 and Mo5Si3, the surface morphology is described as flattened lamellar features, insufficiently flattened protuberance with some degree of surface roughness, a certain quantity of spherical particles, microcracks and pores. Testing results reveal that microhardness and bonding strength of the coatings increase, and porosity decreases with increasing power or decreasing Ar gas flow rate. Moreover, with decreasing the porosity, the microhardness of the coatings increases. The bonding strength of the coatings also increases with increasing spray distance. The MoSi2 coated Mo substrate exhibited a good oxidation resistance at 1200 °C.