Remelting of Flame Spraying PEEK Coating Using Lasers

Flame spraying is frequently used for polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and PTFE coating deposition on metallic surfaces. However, this process has a certain number of limitations, particularly on the coating quality such as high porosity, low interfacial adherence, etc. For that reason a thermal post-processing step is often necessary. The objective of this study is to analyze the effects produced during a laser beam heat treatment on morphological structure (compactness) of PEEK coatings and their mechanical properties (adherence and tribology). The influence of the laser beam wavelength (by using a Nd:YAG, CO₂ or diode lasers) on compactness of the flame sprayed PEEK coating deposited on metallic substrate (304L) was analyzed. Since the value of laser light absorption coefficient of the PEEK coating depends on the laser wavelength, an optimization of the operational parameters for each laser has been carried out in order to achieve melting but not burning of the PEEK coating. Nevertheless, whatever the laser wavelengths used, the results showed a good effect of the laser treatment: improvement of both polymer coating compactness and its adherence to the substrate.     

Influence of Deposition Temperature on the Microstructures and Properties of Plasma-Sprayed Al2O3 Coatings

Al₂O₃ coatings were deposited on 1Cr13 substrates by atmospheric plasma spraying at different deposition temperatures of 140, 275, 375, 480, 530, and 660 °C to investigate the effect of coating surface temperature on the lamellar bonding formation. The fractured cross section morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy to reveal the lamellar interface bonding. X-ray diffraction was used to characterize the phase contents in the coating. Micro-hardness, Young??s modulus, and thermal conductivity of the deposits were measured for examining the dependency of coating properties on its microstructure. The results show that the interface area bonded through columnar grain growth across splat-splat interfaces was increased with increasing deposition temperature. Moreover, micro-hardness, Young??s modulus and thermal conductivity were increased with the increase of deposition temperature. However, the phase structure of the coating changed little with deposition temperature. The results evidently indicate that the apparent bonding ratio and properties of deposits can be significantly changed in a wider range through controlling the deposition temperature.     

Influence of process conditions in laser-assisted low-pressure cold spraying

A laser-assisted low-pressure cold spraying (LALPCS) is a one-step coating process in which the laser irradiation interacts simultaneously with the spraying spot on the substrate or deposited coating surface in order to improve coating properties. It is expected that the LALPCS could be an effective method to improve a low-pressure cold sprayed coating deposition efficiency and denseness. The purpose of the additional energy from the laser beam is to create denser and more adherent coatings, enhance deposition efficiency and increase the variety of coating materials.In this study copper and nickel powders with additions of alumina powder were laser-assisted low-pressure cold sprayed on carbon steel. Coatings were sprayed using air as process gas. A 6 kW continuous wave high power diode laser and a low-pressure cold spraying unit were used in the experiments. The influence of laser energy on coating microstructure, density and deposition efficiency was studied. The coatings were characterized by optical microscopy and SEM. The coating denseness was tested with open cell potential measurements. Results showed that laser irradiation improved the coating denseness and also enhanced deposition efficiency.     

Microstructure and anti-oxidation behavior of laser clad Ni-20Cr coating on molybdenum surface

A Ni-20Cr coating was deposited on a molybdenum substrate by laser cladding. The observation of the microstructure by SEM demonstrates that the coating is free of cracks and pores, and metallurgically bonded to the substrate. XRD and EDS analysis results show that some dilution occurs at the coating/substrate interface and that Mo combines with Ni-20Cr, to form a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy coating with slight oxidation. The oxidation behavior of the coating indicates that the laser clad Ni-20Cr coating can effectively prevent oxidation of molybdenum at 600 °C in air. The oxide scale formed on the coating surface by oxidation in air is composed of NiO, Cr₂O₃ and NiMoO₄.     

Thermal conductivity of nanoporous ZrO2-4 mol% Y2O3 multilayer coatings fabricated by EB-PVD

The effect of multilayer configurations on the thermal conductivity of 4 mol% Y₂O₃⁻ stabilized ZrO₂ coatings fabricated by EB-PVD has been investigated. The deposited coating layers consist of columnar grains containing nano-sized pores. Multilayer specimens are found to contain many pores at the interfaces between layers. The density and thermal conductivity of the multilayer coatings decreases with increasing number of coating layers for one to six layers. The thermal conductivities of coatings deposited onto rotating substrates are lower than those of coatings deposited on stationary substrates. The decreased thermal conductivity of multilayer coatings is ascribed to the increased total porosity resulting from an increase in the number of interface pores concomitant with the formation of non-uniform interfaces between layers, which causes increased phonon scattering.     

PVD coating and substrate pretreatment concepts for corrosion and wear protection of magnesium alloys

Magnesium is a prospective material to save weight and fuel due to its low density and its high specific strength. Nevertheless corrosion and wear resistance are weak so that the surface has to be protected. Previous studies of the authors pointed out the potential of TiMgAlN PVD-coatings for surface protection of Mg-alloys. Within the presented study, the chemical, structural and electrochemical properties of TiMgAlN based PVD coating materials were examined entirely. Therefore, coatings of different compositions were deposited onto the magnesium alloy AZ31 and on glass substrates. Glass substrates were used to examine the electrochemical properties of the coating materials without any substrate influence. The magnesium content in the coatings varied between 1 at.% and 60 at.%. Increasing Mg content in the coatings improves mechanical and electrochemical properties, thus making TiMgAlN prospective candidates to protect magnesium against wear and corrosion. Beyond this, addition of magnesium leads to a densification of the coating microstructure.     

Laser processing of plasma-sprayed R-Ba-Cu-O coatings

Thick Y-Ba-Cu-O and Er-Ba-Cu-O coatings were deposited by plasma spraying onto nickel substrates. These plasma-sprayed coatings were laser melted to modify their microstructures. The effects of primary processing conditions, such as linear energy and number of passes, on microstructural modifications were assessed. The microstructure of the as-sprayed coatings was largely transformed to produce a fine Y₂O₃ dispersion in a Ba-Cu-O matrix. A very low level of coating/substrate interactions can be maintained by appropriate laser processing conditions.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of interface between laser cladded Hastelloy coating and steel substrate

In order to improve the corrosion resistance of carbon steel, Hastelloy coatings were prepared on E235 steel substrate by a high power diode laser with laser scanning speeds of 6 and 12 mm/s, respectively. The interface between the coating and substrate was firstly exposed by dissolving off the substrate. Its microstructure, composition and mechanical properties were systemically studied. Special “edges” along the grain boundary were found at coating/substrate interface. These “edges” consisted of intergranular corrosion area and real grain boundary. The interface of coating mainly displayed austenite structure ascribed to the rapid solidification as well as the dilution of Ni during preparation. Additionally, Hastelloy coating and its interface prepared at the speed of 12 mm/s showed higher hardness than that prepared at the speed of 6 mm/s. Grain boundaries had higher friction coefficient than grains at both coating/substrate interfaces. Moreover, the interface at higher laser scanning speed exhibited smaller grains, lower dilution rates of Ni and Fe as well as a better tribological property.     

Corrosion resistance of Ni‐50Cr HVOF coatings on 310S alloy substrates in a metal dusting atmosphere

Metal dusting attack has been examined after three 168 h cycles on two Ni‐50Cr coatings with different microstructures deposited on 310S alloy substrates by the high velocity oxy‐fuel (HVOF) thermal‐spray process. Metal dusting in uncoated 310S alloy specimens was found to be still in the initiation stage after 504 h of exposure in the 50H₂:50CO gas environment at 620 °C. Dense Ni‐50Cr coatings offered suitable resistance to metal dusting. Metal dusting was observed in the 310S substrates adjacent to pores at the interface between the substrate and a porous Ni‐50Cr coating. The porosity present in the as‐deposited coatings was shown to introduce a large variability into coating performance. Carbon formed by decomposition of the gaseous species accumulated in the surface pores and resulted in the dislodgement of surface splats due to stresses generated by the volume changes. When the corrosive gas atmosphere was able to penetrate through the interconnected pores and reach the coating–substrate interface, the 310S substrate was carburized, metal dusting attack occurred, and the resulting formation of coke in the pores led to local failure of the coating.     

激光重熔镍镀层复合工艺制备铜合金表面涂层

在铜合金表面先预置镍镀层再激光重熔以获得界面冶金结合可靠的新涂层. 通过优化工艺参数,并利用多种分析手段研究了涂层的组织、界面结构和显微硬度. 结果表明,室温下采用4 200 W半导体激光重熔0.4 mm厚镍镀层可获得无缺陷且界面冶金结合可靠的激光熔覆涂层;所获新涂层组织均匀致密,物相由重熔前的γ-Ni镀层转变为重熔后的(Ni,Cu)固溶体;涂层硬度约为135 HV0.05,稍高于CuCrZr基体硬度. 镍镀层的预置和半导体激光的应用提高了铜基表面激光能量的吸收率;新涂层与铜基体间组织成分及硬度匹配保证了良好的界面相容性和可靠的界面结合.     

Laser cycling and thermal cycling exposure of thermal barrier coatings on copper substrates

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are successfully applied in turbines and could also protect combustion chambers in rocket engines. Apart from different loading conditions, the main difference between these applications is the substrate material, which is nickel-based for turbines and copper-based for rocket engines. To optimize the coating system, more knowledge of possible failure modes is necessary.In this work a standard coating system was applied by atmospheric plasma spraying to copper specimens. These specimens were exposed to thermal cycling with different cooling rates and to laser shock testing. A laser-cycling set-up was developed to qualify different coating systems. This set-up consists of a high-power diode laser (3 kW) which provides high heating rates to up to 1500 °C. Laser shock testing has proven to be a suitable alternative to burner rig testing.The results were different to the common failure modes for TBCs on nickel substrates as the coatings system does not fail at the interface between top coat and bond coat, but at the interface between substrate and bond coat. Two failure modes were observed: copper oxide was undermining the coatings at the substrate/bond coat-interface in the case of thermal cycling experiments, and complete delamination occurred at the same interface in the case of laser shock testing. Consequently, this interface is critical in the investigated material system.     

Oxidation behavior of arc-sprayed FeMnCrAl/Cr3C2-Ni9Al coatings deposited on low-carbon steel substrates

FeMnCr/Cr₃C₂ and FeMnCrAl/Cr₃C₂ coatings, using Ni9Al arc-sprayed coating as an interlayer on low-carbon steel substrates, were deposited by high velocity arc spraying (HVAS) on the cored wires. The high temperature oxidation behavior of the arc-sprayed FeMnCrAl/Cr₃C₂-Ni9Al and FeMnCr/Cr₃C₂ coatings on the low-carbon steel substrates was studied during isothermal exposures to air at 800 °C. The surface and interface morphologies of the coatings after isothermal oxidation after 100 h were observed and characterized by optical microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersion spectrum, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the oxidation weight gains of the coatings were significantly lower than that of the low-carbon steel substrate. Moreover, the FeMnCrAl/Cr₃C₂-Ni9Al coating registered the lowest oxidation rate. This favorable oxidation resistance is due to the Al and Cr contents of the aforementioned coating that inhibits the generation of Fe and Mn oxides. This is attributed to the interdiffusion between the substrates and the Ni9Al arc-sprayed coating, which can convert the mechanical bonding between substrates and coatings into a metallurgical one, thereby inhibiting the oxidation of interface between the low-carbon steel and the coating.     

Investigation into microstructural properties of fluorapatite Nd-YAG laser clad coatings with PVA and WG binders

Biomedical implants are generally coated with a thin layer of hydroxyapatite (HA) using a plasma spraying or pulsed laser deposition method. However, the bonding strength between the coating layer and the substrate is relatively low. Moreover, the high temperature of the deposition process causes a structural instability of the HA, and therefore degrades its bioactivity and reduces the service life of the coating layer following implantation. Accordingly, the present study replaces HA with fluorapatite (FA) as the coating material, and examines the effects of two different binders, namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and water glass (WG), on the properties of FA coatings deposited on Ti-6Al-4V substrates using an Nd-YAG laser cladding process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations reveal that the FA coating has a coral- and dendrite-like structure when mixed with the PVA binder, but a pure dendrite-like structure when mixed with the WG binder. In addition, the Ca/P value of the WG-based FA coating is significantly higher than that of the PVA-based coating. Fluorapatite, Al₂O₃, CaTiO₃ and Ca₃(PO₄)₂ phases are observed in both coating layers. However, the XRD analysis results indicate that the microstructure of the WG sample is dominated by Ca₃(PO₄)₂ phase while that of the PVA sample is dominated by FA. After soaking in SBF, it was observed that the specimen produced with PVA binder or less laser output power possessed a better apatite induction ability.     

真空退火对TC4钛合金表面Ti/TiN多层复合涂层性能的影响

金属基体材料表面硬质膜层在服役过程中,残余应力在膜基界面以及膜层内部界面之间的积聚会导致膜层发生界面剥落失效。以TC4钛合金基体表面Ti/TiN多层复合膜层为研究对象,探讨真空退火对复合膜层结构及性能的影响,并表征退火前后复合膜层的界面划痕失效以及抗粒子冲蚀性能。结果表明,真空退火促进了膜层内部以及膜基界面两侧原子的热扩散,使得界面结构特征明显弱化。界面状态的改变使得复合膜层的表面显微硬度降低以及膜基结合强度提高。在划痕载荷作用下,复合膜层抵抗裂纹沿界面扩展的能力得到增强。真空退火有助于提高膜层的强韧性匹配,可有效抵抗小角度冲蚀粒子的犁削以及大角度粒子冲蚀下的疲劳,因此Ti/TiN多层复合膜层表现出较好的抗冲蚀性能。     

激光微纳烧结处理对玻璃陶瓷涂层组织及腐蚀性能的影响

采用高温烧结、球磨破碎的方法制备出了SiO2玻璃与Cr2O3陶瓷包覆型玻璃陶瓷复合粉末.利用常规氧—乙炔火焰喷涂技术在45钢基材表面制备出了玻璃陶瓷保护涂层,并使用激光微纳烧结技术对热喷涂层进行二次处理.研究了激光微纳烧结对玻璃陶瓷涂层组织与性能的影响.结果表明,采用激光微纳烧结对玻璃陶瓷涂层进行二次处理,可提高涂层结构的致密性,使组织均匀化,减少涂层中的微孔和微裂纹;明显提高界面的结合强度和涂层的疏水性能与耐蚀性能.因此激光微纳烧结二次处理技术可以显著提高玻璃陶瓷涂层的综合性能.     

A study on microstructure and properties of calcium phosphate coatings processed using ion beam assisted deposition on heated substrates

In this study a set of thin Hydroxyapatite (HA) [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] coatings was deposited on heated silicon and titanium substrates using Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD). The effects of substrate temperature and processing parameters on the microstructural properties and composition of the coatings are being studied. Analytical techniques include transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDX, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The current results indicate that as substrate temperature increases the Ca/P ratio of the coatings both on titanium and silicon substrates increases. The crystallinity of the coatings and the number of calcium phosphate compounds within the coating including HA also increases. STEM-EDS revealed an atomically diffused intermediate layer at the interface between the coating and substrate. XRD results along with TEM selected area diffraction (SAD) revealed that the coatings are composed of HA, other calcium phosphate, and calcium oxide compounds.     

Thermal shock resistance of FeMnCrAl/Cr3C2-Ni9Al coatings deposited by high velocity arc spraying

FeMnCrAl/Cr₃C₂ and FeMnCrAl/Cr₃C₂-Ni9Al coatings were deposited onto low-carbon steel substrates by high velocity arc spraying. The cross-section and interface microstructures of the coatings were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM). The thermal shock resistance of the coatings was investigated. The characteristics of the coatings after the thermal cycling test were studied by OM, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersion spectrometry. The results show that laminated structures with pores, oxide phases, and unmelted particles were found on all the prepared coatings. The FeMnCrAl/Cr₃C₂ coating with a Ni9Al interlayer registered the best thermal shock resistance, which may be attributed to the interdiffusion between the low-carbon steel substrates and the Ni9Al arc-sprayed coating that converted the mechanical bond between the substrates and the coatings to a metallurgical one.     

The influence of composition and processing parameters on the mechanical properties and erosion response of Ni + TiB2 coatings

Sputtered Ni + TiB₂ coatings have been shown to protect Inconel* 718 and Ti-6A1-4V substrates from solid particle erosion. However, before new erosion-resistant coatings can be efficiently designed, it is essential that the role of mechanical properties in determining erosion resistance be fully understood. In this investigation, nanoindentation techniques were used to quantify the effects of substrate preparation, coating composition, and sputtering process parameters on the elastic moduli and indentation hardness of thin coatings deposited on Ti-6A1-4V and Inconel 718 substrates. The influence of these parameters on coating adhesion was determined using a conventional scratch test. Elastic moduli, indentation hardnesses, and coating adhesion were correlated with erosion behavior. The erosion resistance of those coatings that exhibited microscopic ductility is dependent on the nodule diameter and coating properties such as hardness, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness. Inconel 718 is a trademark of The International Nickel Co.     

Influence of Pre-Heated Al 6061 Substrate Temperature on the Residual Stresses of Multipass Al Coatings Deposited by Cold Spray

In this work, the influence of the substrate temperature on the deposition efficiency, on the coating properties and residual stress was investigated. Pure Al coatings were deposited on Al 6061 alloy substrates using a CGT Kinetics 3000 cold spray system. The substrate temperature was in a range between 20 (room temperature) and 375 °C and was kept nearly constant during a given deposition while all the other deposition parameters were unchanged. The deposited coatings were quenched in water (within 1 min from the deposition) and then characterized. The residual stress was determined by Almen gage method, Modified Layer Removal Method, and XRD in order to identify both the mean coating stress and the stress profile through the coating thickness from the surface to the coating-substrate interface. The residual stress results obtained by these three methods were compared and discussed. The coating morphology and porosity were investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy.     

Synthesis and coating of micro-metal-matrix composite by combined laser sol-gel processing

Of the many methods of laser treatment for improving materials surface properties that have been reported, very few have addressed laser-assisted chemical reaction. In this work laser deposition of metal-matrix composites is reported, using chromium oxide and silicon carbide powders mixed in silica sol-gel mixtures, on EN43 mild steel substrates. Very fine SiC particles ≤ 1 μm and M₇C₃ carbides were synthesised in situ and dispersed in ferrite matrix by this process. A diode laser at different powers and scanning speeds was applied to specimens coated with slurries of different chemical compositions. The effect of solution composition and bath depths were examined in order to achieve optimum experimental parameters. Surface morphology and microstructure of the deposited coatings and substrate surface layers were examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM). Chemical composition was determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The different phases were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results of microhardness measurements and wear properties of the coatings are also reported. Thermodynamic analysis of the reactions taking place is also given.