Characterisation of thermal spray coatings by instrumented indentation and scratch testing  

Thermal spray coatings have been used for several decades for enhanced wear, corrosion and thermal protection in various industrial domains. These coatings are routinely used in power plant turbines, aircraft engines, on pulp rolls in the paper industry and in many other applications where their mechanical properties have to be known.

This application report presents new methods for testing of mechanical properties of thermal spray coatings by means of instrumented indentation and scratch testing. Namely, the results of low load indentation and scratch tests on HVOF coatings will be presented in this application report.