Executive Summary : | The project aims to investigate the impact of heat treatment on plasma-sprayed carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced oxide coatings for high-performance engineering applications. The research involves selecting and preparing high-purity oxide powder and carbon nanotubes as coating materials, functionalizing them to improve dispersion and interfacial bonding. The plasma spraying process is used to deposit the coatings onto compatible substrates, optimizing parameters for uniform and well-bonded coatings with enhanced mechanical properties. The project then selects heat treatment conditions with varying temperatures and durations to investigate the influence of different thermal processing conditions on the coatings. Microstructural characterization is performed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while mechanical properties evaluation is conducted using Vickers hardness testing, scratch testing, and pin-on-disc tribology. The project aims to contribute to high-performance engineering applications by revealing the impact of heat treatment on CNT-reinforced oxide coatings, providing valuable insights for optimizing heat treatment parameters and improving coating performance. The project's success will be achieved through meticulous documentation, collaboration with experts, and adherence to safety and ethical guidelines. |