The Microstructural Evolution and Oxidation Behavior of 316L Stainless Steel Coatings Deposited by Flame Spraying Method: The Effects of Spraying Distance on the Microstructure

The properties of the coatings depend strongly on the microstructural evolution during the thermal spraying process. In this research, the microstructural evolution and oxidation behavior of 316L stainless steel coatings deposited by flame spraying methodwas studied. Furthermore, the effects of the spraying distance and thickness on the microstructural evolution during the thermal spraying process were studied. Fabricated layers were characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) and microhardness testing. The test results indicated that the coatings consisted of porosity and oxidized phases. The increase in the levels of porosity and oxidized phases of the flame spraying coatings resulted in microhardness reductions. The results also inidated that by increasing the spraying distance to between 9 and 12 cm and decreasing the coatings thickness, there was a reduction in the coatings porosity levels and oxidized phases.