The ferrite-based amorphous coatings with high infrared radiation properties have been successfully prepared on the surface of carbon steel substrate by plasma spraying process. The phase, morphology, microstructure, thermal behavior and infrared emissivity were determined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The prepared coating could keep amorphous structure when the ambient temperature was below 700 degrees C and it would crystallize gradually with further increasing the temperature. The amorphous structure is confirmed to be constructive for improving the emissivity of ferrite-based coatings, especially in the 3-8 mu m band. The emissivity of the amorphous coating obtained by plasma spraying was over 0.8 in 3-8 mu m band at 800 degrees C, which was higher than that of the coating with same composition prepared by conventional brushing method. The excellent thermal shock resistance of the coatings makes them to be good candidates for sensible energy-saving materials, which could work for long term at 1000 degrees C. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.