PLASMA TREATMENT OF BUILDING MATERIALS: AS A METHOD OF ACHIEVING CLINKER PERFORMANCE IN CERAMICS

Abstract

The paper summarizes modern methods for forming protective and decorative coatings on construction materials using low-temperature plasma. The evolution of plasma treatment technologies is analyzed, and the key factors affecting the quality and service life of the resulting coatings are identified. It is shown that the use of plasma spraying and plasma remelting leads to a significant increase in coating adhesion to the substrate, improvement of surface appearance, reduction in water absorption, and enhancement of chemical resistance. It has been established that due to the localized high-energy воздействие of plasma, a dense fine-crystalline surface layer with reduced porosity and high structural homogeneity is formed. This, in turn, increases the wear resistance and frost resistance of the treated materials, as well as their resistance to aggressive environments and ultraviolet radiation. It is noted that surface pretreatment and the selection of the sprayed material composition play a decisive role in achieving stable performance characteristics of the coatings. Special attention is paid to the influence of process parameters—plasma discharge power, plasma torch travel speed, distance to the treated surface, and the composition of the plasma-forming gas—on the formation of the structure and physicochemical properties of the surface layer. It is shown that optimization of these parameters makes it possible to purposefully control the coating thickness, surface roughness, and the level of residual stresses.