Cold Spray

Product Details

(Click to enlarge image) Cold Spray is a material-deposition process whereby particles between 1 and 40 microns are impacted at high velocity onto a substrate. The particles are placed in a gas stream of nitrogen, helium or air, then heated and accelerated through a de Laval supersonic nozzle at speeds ranging from 1000 to 2500 meters per second. The particle stream is directed towards a substrate, where the particles are consolidated in the solid state.

A distinguishing feature of the cold spray process compared to conventional thermal spray processes is its ability to produce coatings in a range generally lower than the melting temperature of the coating. Consequently, deleterious effects of high-temperature oxidation, evaporation, melting, recrystallization, residual stresses, debonding, and other concerns associated with thermal spray methods with a liquification step are minimized or eliminated. Cold Spray coatings are typically limited to ductile materials like aluminum, stainless steel, copper, titanium and alloys. Hard and brittle materials like ceramics cannot be sprayed in the pure form but may be applied as composites with a ductile matrix phase. Substrate materials are also limited to those that can withstand the aggressive action of the spray particles. Soft or friable substrates will erode rather than be coated.

Applications:
Additive/3D Printing
Aerospace (MCrAlY)
Automotive; corrosion protection for automotive body and chassis structures (Al and Zn)
Chemical (Ti)
Rapid Protyotyping
Rapid Tooling Repair
Dimensional Restoration (Al, Mg, Cu, Steel)