Effect of standoff distance on coating deposition characteristics in cold spraying

In this study, the effect of standoff distance on coating deposition characteristics in cold spraying was investigated by the experiment and numerical simulation of particle acceleration. Al, Ti and Cu powders of different sizes were used as feedstocks. It was found that the deposition efficiency was decreased with the increase of standoff distance from 10 mm to 110 mm for both Al and Ti powders used in this study. However, for Cu powders, the maximum deposition efficiency was obtained at the standoff distance of 30 mm, and then the deposition efficiency decreased with further increasing the standoff distance to I 10 mm. The standoff distance had a little effect on coating microstructure and microhardness for these three powders. Both the stain-hardening effect of the deposited particles and the shot-peening effect of the rebounded particles take the roles in coating hardness. It was also found that the surface of substrate or previously deposited coating could be exposed to a relatively high gas temperature at a short standoff distance. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.