A METHOD FOR MEASURING PARTICLE-VELOCITY IN THERMAL SPRAYING

A mechanical method was established to determine the particle velocity in plasma spraying processes based on rotating slotted double cylinders or discs. The particle velocity was found to be a function of the mass of particles penetrating through the slots at different rotating speeds. The results obtained revealed a close agreement with those measured by the laser Doppler anemometry method and scanning confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer. The method provides a simple and accurate way of detecting the particle velocity in thermal spray processes. In addition, the method appears to be a low cost way of estabilishing measurement unit and high endurance in thermal spraying under such adverse conditions. This may lead to a wide application of the method on an industrial scale.