Effect of arc spraying power on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Pb-Sn coating deposited onto carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites

In this study, Pb-Sn coatings were deposited on carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites (CFRE composites) by means of plasma spraying as a permeation barrier in the applications of composite pressure vessels. The bonding strength of the Pb-Sn coatings-substrates with different plasma spraying power was tested on a RGD-5 tensile testing machine. The microstructures of the as-sprayed coatings have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The result showed that the melting extent and the bond strength of the coatings were evidently improved with the increasing of spraying power. Observation of fracture surfaces shows that carbon fiber bundles can bond well with Pb-Sn coatings using 42 kW spraying power.