Coatings
were deposited on stainless steel substrates
(
coupons
75
=
50
=
1.5 mm or disks of 25 mm diameter, 3 mm
3
thick
)
which were previously roughened by grit-blasting
(
Al O grit of
320 mesh size
)
. The plasma power
23
used was in the range 35–45 kW. Ar and H were used
2
as the primary and the secondary plasma gases, respec-
tively; whereas, N was used as the solution-precursor
2
atomizing gas. A resistance heater was used to preheat
the substrate to a temperature of 500
8
C, as measured
using a thermocouple attached to the back of the
substrate