| Abstract: |
PEEK particles were sprayed using HVOF, HVAF and plasma spray methods onto aluminium substrates that were first given a range of treatments to vary surface chemistry and roughness. Splat morphology and the interactions between the splat and the substrate were investigated using a range of techniques including TEM and FIB. In particular, dual beam FIB methods were used to generate reconstructed, high resolution 3-dimensional images of the splats, the splat-substrate interface and the substrate surface. Manipulation of these images allows, for example, imaging of the under side surface of the splat which interfaces on to the substrate. Reconstructions have been made for splats sprayed on to differently treated substrate surfaces. It was shown that, in many cases, whilst the periphery of the splat undergoes melting, and adheres effectively to the substrate, the interior of the splat remains unmelted and splat-substrate bonding is poor. Moreover, this technique allows visualization of pores that exist with the polymer splats.
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