Optimizing the Thermal Spray Parameters for Producing High-Performance Mo/ZrB2 Metal Matrix Composites Using the Taguchi Method
, Faiz Ahmad 1 and Mohamad Sahban Alnarabiji 2Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
I have the following opinions on this paper:
1. The main research content and innovations of this paper need to be introduced in the Introduction
2. Introduction needs to include the paper structure
3. Is sandblasting necessary for rust removal before spraying? What is the cleanliness level that needs to be achieved?
4. Does different test temperatures impact on the results?
5. Is there a need for pull-out testing and gouge resistance testing?
6. The specific methods for optimizing parameters are not clearly introduced. What algorithm or method has been used to optimize parameters and what are the innovative points that need to be explained in detail?
7. It is necessary to compare with existing methods to demonstrate the innovation of this paper
the Quality of English Language is fine
Author Response
Dear reviewer, kindly find attached a file that includes the replies to all of your valuable comments.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Accept in present form
Author Response
Dear reviewer, Thank you very much indeed
Reviewer 3 Report
1、 Writing errors such as “Zrb2” appear in the abstract, please modify and check the full text carefully.
2、 The introduction part of the author's thesis is too messy, and the fourth and ninth paragraphs are obviously repeated. In addition, the logic is not clear, so it is suggested to revise the introduction part emphatically.
3、 It is not clear what the picture below Table 4 is used to reflect? Table 8 appears twice in the author 's paper.
4、 The author did not describe the subsequent thermal spraying experiment process in the experimental part of the paper.
5、 After ball milling, whether the mixed powder of zirconium diboride and molybdenum diboride is uniform, it is suggested to introduce relevant SEM and EDS to explain it.
6、 Figure 7 is different multiples of the same area, slightly repeated, it is suggested to keep only the images with characteristics.
The overall English quality of the author's manuscript is good.
Author Response
Dear reviewer, kindly find attached a file that includes the replies to all of your valuable comments.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
The development of composite materials consisting of a metal matrix and reinforcing elements distributed in it is one of the most priority areas for the development of modern metallurgy and materials science. In some cases, only composite materials can meet the requirements of new technology, which is characterized by tougher operating conditions: increased loads, speeds, temperatures, aggressive media, and reduced weight. Therefore, the study of obtaining highly efficient composites with a Mo/ZrB2 metal matrix is topical.
In the work, the authors determined and described in detail the parameters of thermal spraying of the Mo/Zrb2 composite coating on the substrate surface. The authors found that these parameters have a positive effect on increasing strength and preventing the occurrence of pores and cracks. However, the article lacks information about the possible practical application of the results obtained and the economic efficiency of using the method.
Moreover, the introduction considers an insufficient number of sources describing the formation of composite materials. Therefore, I recommend using the following sources::
1) Kuz'min M.P., Kuz'mina M.Yu., Kuz'mina A.S. Production and properties of aluminum-based composites modified with carbon nanotubes // Materials Today: Proceedings. – 2019. – V. 19 (5). – P. 1826–1830.
2) Kuz’min M.P., Xiao-Yuan Li, Kuz’mina M.Y., Begunov A.I., Zhuravlyova A.S. Changing the properties of indium tin oxide by introducing aluminum cations // Electrochemistry Communications. – 2016. – V. 67 – P. 35–38.
If the noted additions are made, the work is recommended for publication.
Author Response
Dear reviewer, kindly find attached a file that includes the replies to all of your valuable comments.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 5 Report
Optimizing the thermal spray parameters for producing high performance MoZrB2 metal matrix composites using the Taguchi method
The authors have made a submission titled “Optimizing the thermal spray parameters for producing high performance MoZrB2 metal matrix composites using the Taguchi method” to the journal coatings. In this work, the thermal spray process was used to produce metal matrix composite and the process parameters such as spray distance, number of passes and gas pressure were considered. Taguchi technique was used for optimizing the output such as Young’s modulus and hardness values of castings. The optimum values of the process parameters were identified and validated using Taguchi function. The paper needs to be checked for some inconsistencies and are given below.
The authors shall address the following queries before publication of the paper.
Major points
The authors have discussed about the optimization of parameters. However the scientific rigor is lacking at some places.
1. The abstract is too long and the contents containing details about Mo and ZrB2 seem to be transferred to the introduction part. They shall support the material selection part.
2. In the introduction part, Page 3, the process parameters are briefly explained in small sections as separate paragraphs. They resemble a book chapter and may be changed to look like a journal article.
3. Tables 2, 3 and 5 are same. This should be corrected as it causes confusion.
4. Table numbering and captions are to be corrected.
5. The chemical composition changes and the deposition of Mn and ZrB2 specified in the text are not found appropriately in the Tables given.
6. The first sentence (Line no. 256) in Section 3.2 should be changed. Line NO. 260,”Since the objective was to obtain the greatest rate and / or weight loss of the coatings” shall be reframed to deliver correct meaning.
7. There are two numbers of Table 8. The same problem of caption is here too. Tables 6 and 8, Tables 7 and 8 are same.
9. Discussions need to be improved and shall be compared with those in literature.
10. How do the selected parameters govern the Thermal spraying process in this study? What are the other parameters in this spraying process?
Minor Points
1. The third line of the abstract should contain the word “melting point”
2. In Page 2, Line 89, the sentence “The thermal spray (TS) technique involves …………. “ need to be changed.
3. In Page 5, Line 188, it is Taguchi et al. not Taguchiet.
4. In Page 5, Lines 205 – 207 are repeated.
5. In Page 7, Table 5, Young’s modulus unit is missing.
6. Quoting Figure No. in conclusions is not needed. Conclusion shall be made better.
English grammar checking is required at some places.
Author Response
Dear reviewer, kindly find attached a file that includes the replies to all of your valuable comments.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The author made revisions to the paper according to the suggestions and answered my questions. I suggest to publish on journal.
none
Author Response
Dear reviewer all your valuable comments have been addressed
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 5 Report
Optimizing the thermal spray parameters for producing high performance MoZrB2 metal matrix composites using the Taguchi method
The authors have made a revised version of their previous submission titled “Optimizing the thermal spray parameters for producing high performance MoZrB2 metal matrix composites using the Taguchi method” to the journal coatings. In this work, Taguchi technique was used for optimizing the output such as Young’s modulus and hardness values of castings. The optimum values of the process parameters were identified and validated using Taguchi function. The queries raised during the previous submission were taken into account and corrections have been made.
The introduction part now contains information about Zirconium diboride. Abstract is now re-written as per the comments given and is now quite good.
Table Nos. 2, 3 and 5 are corrected and changed. The Numbering of tables and the Table captions are corrected as they are suggested in the previous version.
The factors that are responsible for spraying process such as particle size, temperature and fee are added apart from the discussed parameters such as spray distance, number of passes and gas pressure.
The term melting point as suggested in the previous version is now added in the abstract.
The sentence “Thermal spraying process……… “ seeking revision was changed as per the comments suggested.
The word “Taguchietal” is changed as Taguchi et al. as suggested.
Conclusion is now revised and seems better.
Though most of the queries were addressed by the authors, I would like to inform some minor queries that can be changed before publication. Details regarding Zirconium diboride shown in Page No. 2 - Line No. 76 to 81 are redundant with the information given in Page No. 3- Line No. 142 to 149.
In Table 3 Header , the unit for Young’s modulus is not seen. It shall be added.
In Page 5 Line No. 206, the output field “Young’s modulus” is provided with empty parentheses with no unit. Either unit may be added or the parentheses may be removed.
The above three points shall be considered before publication.
In this revised version of the paper the authors have done the corrections specified and made the paper look better than before.
I now recommend the manuscript “Optimizing the thermal spray parameters for producing high performance MoZrB2 metal matrix composites using the Taguchi method” for publication in the Journal Coatings.
English is good and slight polishing for minor corrections may be needed.
Author Response
Dear reviewer all your valuable comments addressed
Thank you
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
