Transport model of droplets injected axially or transversely into a plasma jet is presented. The droplets contain a ceramic precursor that precipitates in the vaporizing droplets. Droplet temperature and solute concentration distributions were predicted to estimate precipitation zones based on a homogeneous nucleation hypothesis. Effects of droplet size, injection velocity and injection angle were parametrically studied and the results were compared for axial and transverse injection. Axial injection is found to result in more rapid heat-up and precipitation than transverse injection. Computations suggest that small droplets form solid spherical particulates whereas larger droplets may form cenospheres and thin shell structures. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.