Cold Spray BackgroundCold Spray Industries

Cold Spray Services

Cold Spray is a newer advancement in spray processing based on a supersonic gas jet accelerating coating powder particles to Mach 2-3 (600-900 m/s). It reflects a trend toward higher particle velocity and lower heat input that began with experiences in the field of High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF). With High Pressure Cold Spray, however, coating materials aren't melted by a thermal energy source. Rather, the kinetic energy of the coating material is converted to heat by the high velocity of the particles impacting the surface to be coated. As a result, a strong bond is formed with the substrate, similar to explosion welding.

Key elements to High Pressure Cold Spray processing include:

• ORIGINAL MATERIAL HAS SAME PHASE STRUCTURE AFTER PROCESSING
• ELIMINATES OXIDE FORMATION FOR OXYGEN-SENSITIVE MATERIAL
• ELIMINATES SOLIDIFICATION STRESSES
• MINIMAL SURFACE PREPARATION FOR MANY SUBSTRATES, INCLUDING STAINLESS STEEL, COPPER AND ALUMINUM
• WIDE RANGE OF COATING MATERIALS
• NON-COMBUSTION CLEAN ENVIRONMENT
• ULTRA-PURE COATINGS

Comparison

With High Pressure Cold Spray, different spray materials can be deposited without subjecting them or the substrate to high thermal loads. Compared to other Thermal Spray processes, such as Plasma Spraying or Combustion Processes, Cold Spray allows coatings with extremely low porosity and an extremely low oxygen content to be produced (formed).

Advantages

A variety of industries are taking advantage of the wide array of coatings that can be produced by this newer spray technology. While spray materials ranging from relatively low-melting aluminum alloys to temperature sensitive tantalum and niobium can be applied to an array of substrates, the properties of the deposited layer are nearly impossible to distinguished from the base material.

• No or almost zero oxidation
• +99% Dense coating structure if required
• Exceptionally high deposit efficiency

Material Selection

Achieving a high-performance surface requires the selection of the correct material. ASB Industries works with the well-known powder manufacturers to optimize powder properties and extend the range of spray materials. While a large spectrum of powders is available upon request, common powders include:

• COPPER
• NICKEL
• METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES
• TANTALUM
• NIOBIUM
• ALUMINUM
• TITANIUM

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