Grant: Engage Plus Grants Program

Spray coating is one of the most employed techniques in industry for different applications such reduction infriction, thermal barrier coating, corrosion protection, and esthetics. Surface preparation prior to coating istherefore a critical process parameter as differences in the properties of the substrate and the coating couldresult in delamination and mechanical failure. Most of the surface preparation methods are empirical and havebeen developed on a trial and error basis practice. In order to develop a better understanding of the fundamentalmechanisms governing the interface quality advanced analytical equipment are required. Using a combinationof Optical, Laser Confocal (LC), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Cold-Emission Gun Scanning ElectronMicroscopy (CEG-SEM) the interface between the substrate and the metal layer will be examined and theinfluence of process parameters on interface quality quantified. The generation of this information will helpoptimize the process and develop the basis for a better understanding of the fundamental mechanismscontrolling the quality of the interface. In the first phase of the project, the samples were cut and their interfacewas examined using Optical, Laser Confocal (LC) and Field-Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscopy(FEG-SEM). In the next step of the project, new series of samples will be produced at the request of theresearcher for the sake of specific parameter comparison. The basis for the selection of the second batch ofsamples was the parameters that were identified in the first phase to have an effect on the delamination. Thedesign intends to investigate the effect of the plasma treatment, the activator, topcoats and other similar factors.These parameters will be studied and investigated and will help the researcher better identify the cause ofdelamination.