Synthesis of Quasicrysalline Powders and Coatings by Vacuum Arc Plasma Evaporation

Abstract

Quasicrystalline coatings of the Al–Cu–Fe system were obtained by sputtering the cathode using a pulsed high-current low-pressure arc discharge followed by deposition on a hot (600°C) and cooled substrate (25°C). The surface morphology, chemical and phase composition of evaporation products in the powder form and the resulting coatings were studied. Powders and coatings were also annealed and the phase composition change was studied. It was found that during the evaporation process a significant change in chemical composition occurs in the form of loss of Al from the surface of particles and coating, that leads to a decrease in the content of the ψ-phase. However, subsequent annealing and spraying onto a hot substrate leads to an increase in the ψ-phase, as well as the density and hardness of the coatings.