The morphology of atmospheric plasma-sprayed yttria-stabilized zirconia single splats has been studied. Single splats of plasma-sprayed ZrO 2 -7%Y 2 O 3 powder have been collected on polished stainless steel substrates kept at three different temperatures (room temperature, 300°C, and 600°C). The effect of heating on the substratesÕ surface topography was evaluated. The effects of spray process parameters such as substrate temperature, particle temperature, and velocity on the morphology of single splats was studied. Variation of splat shape with location within the footprint of plasma spray was investigated. Pore and microcrack formation, splashing behavior, splat/substrate, and splat/splat interfaces were analyzed. Splat morphology and diameter, satellite particles, and splashing behavior were recorded using both scanning electron microscopy and image analysis. Splat/substrate and splat/splat interfaces were studied from cross sections prepared by focused ion beam milling. Results showed primarily disk-shape morphology and no evidence of delamination along the splat/substrate interface at 600°C substrate temperature. Overlapped splats showed evidence of melting (microwelding) at splat boundaries. Splat thickness was measured to be less than 1 lm for all spray conditions.

Purpose Preclinical imaging of myocardial blood flow (MBF) can elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease. We compared the repeatability and variability of two methods, first-pass MRI and arterial spin labeling (ASL), for imaging MBF in mice. Methods Quantitative perfusion MRI in mice was performed using both methods at rest, with a vasodilator, and one day after myocardial infarction (MI). Image quality (score of 1–5, 5 best), between-session coefficient of variability (CVbs), intra-user coefficient of variability (CVintra-user) and inter-user coefficient of variability (CVinter-user) were assessed. Acquisition time was 1–2 minutes for first-pass MRI and approximately 40 minutes for ASL. Results Image quality was higher for ASL (3.94±0.09 vs. 2.88±0.10, p<0.05). Infarct zone CVbs was lower with first-pass (17±3% vs. 46±9%, p<0.05). The stress perfusion CVintra-user was lower for ASL (3±1% vs. 14±3%, p<0.05). The stress perfusion CVinter-user was lower for ASL (4±1% vs. 17±4%, p<0.05). Conclusion For low MBF conditions such as infarct, first-pass MRI is preferred due to better repeatability and variability. At high MBF such as at vasodilation, ASL may be more suitable due to superior image quality and lower user variability. First-pass MRI has a substantial speed advantage.

Substrate temperature variation was measured during plasma spraying of ZrO 2 7% Y 2 O 3 powder using fast-response thermocouples embedded in the stainless steel surface. Coatings were deposited with both stationary and moving torches. The substrate was either kept at room temperature at the start of coating deposition or pre-heated to 270-300°C. Peak temperature during spraying reached 450°C for a surface initially at room temperature, and 680°C for a surface preheated to 300°C before coating deposition. Preheating the substrate reduced coating porosity by approximately 40%. The porosity at the center of the deposit was significantly lower than that at its periphery since particle temperature and velocity were lower at the edges of the plasma plume than along its axis. When a coating was applied with a moving torch the substrate temperature did not increase above 450°C, at which temperature heat losses to the ambient equalled the heat supplied by the plasma plume and particles. Coating porosity decreased with distance from the substrate. As sequential layers of coating are applied surface temperature increases and roughness decreases. Both of these factors suppress break-up of particles landing on the substrate and thereby reduce coating porosity.

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