Correlation between flattening ratio and wear performance of cold sprayed metal matrix composite coatings

Abstract

Cold spray is one of the promising coating deposition techniques for fabricating anti-wear composite coatings. These composite coatings contain an even distribution of the two phases, they are Ti-6Al-4V and Al splats if referring to the current study. With the help of image analysis software (Fiji), the flattening ratio (FR) of Al splats was found to be larger than that of Ti-6Al-4V in different composite coatings. The overall FR is more comprehensively correlated to fracture toughness and wear performance for the entire composite structure, rather than comparing the particular FR of Ti-6Al-4V or Al splats only. The higher the FR of the composite coating, the better its wear performance, but this phenomenon only applies to the same type of composite coating, because different composite coatings respond differently to wear.