Microstructural Studies of Cold Sprayed Copper, Nickel, and Nickel-30% Copper Coatings

• Published in: Journal of thermal spray technology Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 488 - 497
• Main Authors: KOIVULUOTO, Heli, LAGERBOM, Juha, VUORISTO, Petri
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.12.2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Coatings; Copper; Corrosion; Corrosion environments; Exact sciences and technology; Heat treatment; Metals. Metallurgy; Nickel; Porosity; Production techniques; Surface treatment; Corrosion; Corrosion test; cold gas dynamic spraying; copper nickel; nickel-30% copper; Microstructure; Coatings; Spray coating; Surface treatment
• ISSN: 1059-9630; 1544-1016
• DOI: 10.1007/s11666-007-9060-5

Cold spraying enables to produce metallic coatings with low porosity level and low oxygen content. Several material properties such as electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance rely on these properties. Aim of this study was to characterize microstructural properties of cold sprayed copper, nickel, and nickel-30%copper coatings. Microstructures, denseness, and deformation of particles were investigated. SEM analysis and corrosion tests were done to get information of through-porosity. Open porosity has an important role on protectiveness of anodically protective coatings, such coating materials like copper and nickel. In this study, cold-sprayed Cu coating was fully dense. However, cold-sprayed Ni and Ni-30%Cu coatings seemed to be microstructurally dense but some porosity in some areas of the coatings especially in some parts of particle boundaries was noticed after corrosion tests. Furthermore, effect of annealing to microstructure and corrosion test behavior was studied. Cold sprayed Ni coating became denser during heat treatment.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]