抄録
Microwave (MW) processing of materials has been an area of active research in the last two decades and use of microwaves of processing of ceramics/ceramic composites is reported increasing a faster rate. The present study is concerned with post processing of plasma sprayed ceramic composites and hence characterisation of response of the post processed composites while subjected to sliding environment at high speed (5m/s). Spray deposits were irradiated (glazed) at 2.45GHz microwave frequency at 1kW power. During glazing modification of the characteristic layered structure of the plasma sprayed composites takes place resulting in densification of the porous structure. Spray deposits were characrterized through monitoring of wear, and also examining the worn surfaces under scanning electron microscope (SEM). Glazed spray deposits exhibit higher wear resistance and higher sliding stability in terms of less elemental depletion and meterial spalling. Enhanced sliding stability of the glazed deposits was also demonstrated by p-v-t analysis of the monitored wear data.
