Thermal spraying and the fabrication of coatings with tailored electromagnetic properties

Non-conventional ceramic-based composite coatings were fabricated by air plasma spraying in order to evaluate their microstructural and electromagnetic properties. Different chromia-based formulations were selected and prepared in the form of feedstock materials for the fabrication of samples having an average thickness of about 3 mm. Waveguide testing was performed on the deposited coatings and most interesting results are reported and commented. Despite the complex formulation of investigated materials, as compared with standard materials for thermal spraying, it has been evidenced as plasma spraying can represent an interesting technique to produce functionalized surfaces with tailored electromagnetic properties, adding new potential application areas to the well-known fields where this technology is already present. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.