Oxidation dependency of critical velocity for aluminum feedstock deposition in kinetic spraying process

In kinetic spraying process, critical velocity is an important criterion which determines the deposition of feedstock onto the substrate. It has been proven experimentally and numerically that the critical velocity is determined by physical and mechanical properties and the state of materials such as initial temperature and size. In this study, the oxidation effect on critical velocity was investigated using experimental methods. As oxygen content of feedstock increased, critical velocity significantly decreased. In order to find out reasons for difference in critical velocity with oxygen content, individual impact behavior was analyzed and interface microstructure was observed. Due to high brittleness and hardness of oxide, oxide layer on particle influences the particle deformation behavior during impact. And oxide accumulated at interface obstructs the adhesion between activated particle and substrate surface during impact. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.