Mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of HVOF sprayed NiCrAlY coatings without and with nano ceria

NiCrAlY coatings without and with 0.2 wt.% nano ceria were prepared by high velocity oxygen fuel spraying. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal shock resistance of as-sprayed coatings were investigated. The results showed that in the as-sprayed coatings, the number of un-melted particles was reduced drastically, the microstructure was refined and compact due to the refinement of sprayable powders. Both the hardness and adhesive strength of the NiCrAlY increased due to the refinement of microstructure and the decrease of the defects, such as pores and oxides, after adding nano ceria. The thermal cycle life of NiCrAlY coatings was improved by 15% after adding 0.2 wt.% nano ceria, which is attributed to the low content of spinel NiCr ₂O ₄ and high content of Cr ₂O ₃ in the thermal cycling, the refined and compact microstructure, and increased interfacial boundary.