Patent ID: 6051279
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
A method of depositing a ceramic coating on a metal substrate using a jet of plasma gas having a central axis which passes through a highest temperature region of the jet and having a medium temperature region along a peripheral portion of the jet, the method comprising the steps of:spraying a ceramic powder onto the substrate by injecting the ceramic powder into the jet at a first injection point, the ceramic powder being injected along the central axis of the jet so as to pass through the highest temperature region of the jet and form a ceramic coating on the substrate;spraying particles of a polymer powder onto the substrate by injecting, simultaneously with the injection of the ceramic powder, the polymer powder particles into the jet of plasma gas at a second injection point jet separated from the first injection point by a predetermined distance substantially perpendicular to the axis and at substantially the same longitudinal position, the injection of polymer powder particles being separate and independent from the injection of the ceramic powder, the polymer powder particles being injected along a path which passes through the medium temperature region of the jet such that at least some of the particles of the polymer powder are incorporated into the ceramic coating formed by the ceramic powder; andremoving the polymer particles incorporated in said coating.