Gas Dynamic Spray Composite Coatings for Iron and Steel Castings
Mr. Michael J. Beneteau1, Dr. Julio Villafuerte2, Wally Birtch1, Mr. John Paille3, Mike Petrocik3, Roman Gr. Maev4, Emil Strumban4 and Volf Leshchynsky4, 1Centrline (Windsor) Ltd, 655 Morton Dr., Windsor, ON N9J 3T9, Canada, 2Centrline (Windsor) Ltd, 415 Morton Dr., Windsor, ON N9J 3T8, Canada, 3DaimlerChrysler Corporation, 800 DaimlerChrysler Drive East, Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2757, 4Physics, University of Windsor, 401Sunset Ave, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada

The present study was carried out to evaluate the applicability of the Gas Dynamic Spraying (GDS) of different powder compositions for depositing wear-resistant composite coatings on iron and steel castings. This process, simply known as “cold spray,” is understood to be part of the large family of thermal spray processes. Ni and Cu based coatings with carbide and oxide reinforcements have been researched. GDS coatings containing WC, Cr3C2 and TiC have been formed by low pressure GDS technique. The obtained coatings’ microstructures have been studied by optical microscopy and SEM.  Phase composition, hardness, Young's modulus and fracture toughness of the GDS coatings have been analyzed. A “ball on disc” sliding wear test has been used for a preliminary evaluation of the wear resistance characteristics.  The wear resistance of the GDS coatings has been examined against a ceramic (SiN) ball.  The composite coatings with WC and TiC reinforcement  that have showed the best performance were selected for further detailed testing. In addition to the obtained test results, the application prospects for such GDS coatings will be discussed.  

Session 3: Cold Spray 3: Portable Systems

The Preliminary Program for International Thermal Spray Conference And Exposition (ITSC) (May 15-18, 2006)