The Cold Spray Coating Process

For over 25 years, Hannecard – ASB Industries has provided cold spray coating services. Our cold spray process provides a range of benefits and low oxide coatings for unique industrial and aerospace components, along with R&D projects. With highly trained technicians and industry-leading equipment, our cold spray processing is trusted by customers worldwide to provide reliable protection for critical components and equipment.

How Does The Cold Spray Deposition Process Work?

Cold spray is a technique that utilizes advanced technology to build up layers of coating using softer metal powders. It works by feeding the powder into a stream of high-pressure gas. The gas is then forced through a specially designed nozzle at supersonic speeds. When the metal powder particles hit the surface at this high speed, the impact creates a strong bond between the particles and the underlying surface, creating a dense, thin-to-thicker coating.

What are the Advantages of Cold Spray Coatings?

Unlike thermal spray processes that involve melting the coating powder prior to application, cold sprays operate at lower temperatures. This critical difference allows the particles to remain solid throughout the deposition process, preventing oxidation and thermal degradation. The result is a thin-to-thick coating deposit that provides exceptional protection, corrosion resistance, and enhanced lifespan for components.

Cold spray is compatible with a wide range of pure materials, including Inconel, copper, nickel, aluminum, tantalum, GRCop, silver, niobium, metal matrix composites, and more. Cold spray coatings also provide surface enhancements that repair and refurbish worn or damaged components, returning them to their original dimensions.

• Additive Manufacturing
• Aerospace Components
• Automotive Parts
• Braze Layers
• Bus Bar Coatings
• Conductive Layers
• Industrial Components
• Magnesium Substrate Repair
• Nuclear Process and Containment
• Research & Development
• Rocket Engine Components
• Sputtering Target Repair

History of Cold Spray Coating Technology at Hannecard - ASB

In 2000, Cold Spray activities began in cooperation between Linde Group, Hannecard - ASB, CRP Automationstechnik AG, and Germany's University of the Federal Armed Forces. In a relatively short time, the newly founded company CGT Cold Gas Technology GmbH developed and launched proven production systems for Cold Spray. At the end of 2002, the first industrial user produced automotive components allowing benefits of this promising process by applying pure copper coatings to aluminum heat sinks.

The latest developments in Cold Spray have led to process optimization using standard powders with high deposition efficiency. With Impact Innovations' latest cold spray system, Impact EvoCSII, the Cold Spray process can compete commercially with any other coating technology on the market. Cold Spray will continue to reveal new coating possibilities, including metallic materials and metal, ceramics, or plastic composites.

Cold Spray Capabilities at ASB Industries Research and Production Facility

• High-pressure nitrogen and helium infrastructure, including nitrogen DESY system
• Large-production spray capabilities, including six-axis robotic capabilities
• Powder mixing and drying facility
• ASB in-house metallurgical lab
• Reference MIL-STD-3021 US Department of Defense Manufacturing Process Standard for Material Deposition Cold Spray
• Impact Innovations Spray 50 Bar System

Cold Spray Work Cases

You can find examples of our ASB Industries work with Cold Sprays on our Cold Sprays Application and Case Studies page.

Contact Us to Learn How Cold Sprays Can Improve Your Components' Performance

For more information about our cold spray technologies, including research and development studies, production and turnkey equipment, and other technical support, contact the experts at Hannecard - ASB today.