*2.2. Characterization*

## 2.2.1. Phase Composition

Samples of the feedstock powder and sprayed coatings were analyzed by the X-ray di ffraction technique. Di ffraction patterns were collected with the PANalytical X'Pert PRO di ffractometer (Malvern PANalytical, Almelo, The Netherlands) equipped with a conventional X-ray tube (Cu-K α radiation, 40 kV, 30 mA) and a linear position sensitive detector PIXcel with an anti-scatter shield. A programmable divergence slit set to a fixed value of 0.5◦, Soller slit of 0.04 rad and mask of 15 mm were used in the primary beam. A programmable anti-scatter slit set to fixed value of 0.5◦, Soller slit of 0.04 rad and Ni beta-filter were used in the di ffracted beam. Data were collected in the range of 10◦–120◦ 2θ with the step of 0.013◦ and 300 s/step producing a scan of about 2 h 48 min.

Qualitative analysis was performed with the HighScorePlus software package (Malvern PANalytical, Almelo, The Netherlands, version 4.9.0) and the PDF-4+ database. Di ffrac-Plus Topas software package (Bruker AXS, Karlsruhe, Germany, version 4.2) was used for estimating the Degree of Crystallinity (DoC). Structural models of all identified phases were taken from the PDF-4+ database.
