Characteristics of tungsten coated graphite using vacuum plasma spraying method

Tungsten coatings on the graphite (CX-2320) were successfully deposited using the vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) method. An optimum coating procedure was developed and coating thicknesses of $409{\mu}m$ (without an interlayer) and $378{\mu}m$ (with an interlayer) were obtained with no cracks and no signs of delamination. The mechanical characteristics and microstructure of the tungsten coating layers were investigated using a Vickers hardness tester, FE-SEM, EDS, and XRD. The effect of a titanium interlayer on the properties of the tungsten coating was investigated. It was shown that the titanium interlayer prevented the diffusion of carbon to the tungsten layer, thereby suppressing the formation of tungsten carbide. Vickers hardness data yielded values that were 62.5 ~ 80.46% of those for bulk tungsten, indicating that tungsten coatings on graphite can be utilized as a plasma-facing material. High heat flux tests were performed by using thermal plasma with a maximum flux of $10MW/^2$. Vickers hardness after the heat flux test is performed to see a change in the mechanical properties. The formationof a tungsten carbide and the effect of the titanium interlayer for the diffusion barrier are investigated by using energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS).