Titanium coatings were deposited by plasma spraying with and without a shroud. The as-sprayed titanium coatings were then microstructurally examined. A comparison in microstructure between titanium coatings with and without the shroud was carried out. Based on the analytical results, it showed that the shroud played a critical role in protecting the titanium particles from oxidation. The presence of the shroud in the plasma spraying brought about better heating of the particles in the plasma jet due to mitigation of air entrainment with the shroud, thus a reduction in coating porosity was obtained. An enhanced microstructure in the shrouded titanium coatings was observed compared to the air plasma sprayed counterpart
