Abstract
Two kinds of natural olivine (Mg,Fe)2SiO4, where Mg represents forsterite and Fe represents fayalite component, were formed by plasma spray technique into coatings on metallic substrates.The two experimental powders for spraying come from different mines, one in Norway and the other in Mongolia. By removing the substrates after cooling, self-supporting plates were obtained and further studied with optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and dielectric spectroscopy.Microhardness was measured on cross-sections prepared for microstructure observation.Wear resistance in wet conditions was tested as well.
Reflectivity was measured in a wide range of UVVIS-NIR radiation.Dielectric properties of both types of coatings were measured at low voltage.The results show that both minerals are interesting candidates for various optical and electronic applications; they have similar dielectric behavior as alumina and simultaneously they have markedly lower reflectance in the UV-VIS-NIR radiation.