Microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion performance of 7075 Al matrix ceramic particle reinforced composite coatings produced by the cold gas dynamic spraying process

Abstract

In this study, microstructural evolutions, mechanical properties and corrosion performance of coatings made of 7075 Al matrix with B4C or SiC reinforcement deposited on T6 6061 Al alloy using the cold gas dynamic spraying process were investigated. Microstructural surveys have shown that coatings with no discontinuity at the interface as well as with fine grains were obtained and the addition of ceramic particles enhanced the coating density for a prescribed set of spray parameters and nozzle configuration. The presence of ceramic particles in the 7075 Al matrix improved the coatings hardness and wear resistance when compared to unreinforced 7075 Al coatings. Although coatings hardness increased with increasing ceramic particle content, the effect on the coatings wear performance is not that significant. B4C reinforced composite coatings exhibited slightly better wear performance compared to SiC reinforced composite coatings. The cold sprayed coatings showed more noble corrosion potentials but higher corrosion current densities than those of the T6 6061 Al substrate. The addition of ceramic particles into 7075 Al matrix led to increased corrosion current densities when compared to that of unreinforced 7075 Al coating.