Potential Use of Ceramic Plasma Sprayed Coatings in Combustion Engines

The use of plasma sprayed ceramic coatings in combustion engines is very promising to reduce fuel consumption and improve wear resistance specially for friction parts. The plasma spraying experiments developped at the University of Limoges in this field are shortly described and the results obtained presented, Couples of ceramic coatings for dry friction have been developped and are already used with success in industry, and thermal barriers coatings with stabilized zirconia are actually tested in diesel engines as well as in aeroengines.