RÉSUMÉ

In DC. plasma spraying, plasma guns involve a continuous movement of the arc root on the anode wall. This movement causes fluctuations in arc voltage and net enthalpy input to the flow and, instabilities in the jet flow. The latter are enhanced by the development of turbulence in the shear layer between the flow and the surrounding gas at rest, and by the mixing with the ambient gas. This paper addresses the effect of short-term flow fluctuations on the behavior of particles injected in the flow. The study was carried out using both numerical and experimental techniques. It shows that particle trajectory and, therefore, acceleration and heating can be affected by jet flow fluctuations. However, further experiments and calculations are required to have a better understanding of the effect on coating properties.