Microstructure and Properties of Plasma Spraying Boron Carbide Coating

Microstructure of plasma spray boron carbide coating was studied by SEM and TEM. Its physical, mechanical and electrical properties were measured. The results showed that high microhardness, modulus and low porosity of B4C coating were manufactured by plasma spray. It was lamellar packing and dense. The B4C coating examined here contained two principal structures and two impurity phase besides major phase. The relatively small value of Young's modulus, comparing with that of the bulk materials, is explained by porosity. The Fe impurity phase could account for the relatively high electrical conductivity of boron carbide coating by comparing with the general baron carbide materials.