| abstract |
This invention relates to a process for making powders for plasma spray coatings from single components and multiple component having dissimilar particle size and density, which can withstand temperatures in excess of 200° C. within a plasma spray gun and still be freely flowable. In this invention a process for enhancing the high temperature flowability of a powder for spray coatings is disclosed. The process includes the following steps. A powder selected from one of a metal, a ceramic, or mixtures thereof is mixed with a blend of polymeric cellulose ether and water to a dough-like consistency. The powder and the blend are mixed in a volumetric ratio in the range of about 90:10 to about 99:1, powder:blend and a paste is formed. The paste is dried. The dry paste is particulated and a flowable powder having a particle size the range of about 50 μm to about 300 μm is formed. |