Plasma spraying of zircon

Zircon, ZrSiO4, is a natural mineral used for various applications as a refractory bulk material, It is an excellent feedstock for the plasma spraying of protective coatings and free-standing bodies, Zircon decomposes on spraying into t-ZrO2 and glassy SiO2, which can be preserved in deposits by fast cooling. This combination of zirconia and silica exhibits properties such as a high thermal shock resistance, good corrosion resistance, low wettability, etc, The final properties of deposits can be further enhanced by the addition of other materials such as alumina, For instance, alumina-zircon plasma-sprayed free-standing pipes have a low gas permeability, Several technical applications are discussed.