Heat treatment of plasma sprayed tricalcium phosphate coatings deposited on substrate Ti-6Al-4V ELI

Micron-sized spray-dried tricalcium phosphate (TCP) powder has been deposited successfully on the substrate of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy through an atmospheric plasma spraying process. Further, heat treatment of the deposited coating is carried out at a temperature of 600 ℃ for the holding time duration of 2 h in a muffle furnace. Phase identification of the as-deposited and post heat-treated TCP coatings is analyzed through an X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The top morphology and microstructure of both coatings are examined with the help of the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The porosity and micro-crack are found to be reduced by heat treatment. Fully molten particles are noticed to be dominant on the top surface of the coating obtained after performing heat treatment. The transformation of secondary phases, namely tetra calcium phosphate (TTCP) and calcium oxide, into stable tricalcium phosphate is achieved by heat treatment.