Particle In-Flight Velocity Measurements from Particle Image Velocimetry in Cold Spray

Abstract

Abstract The cold spray process is a relatively new coating process by which protective coatings have been successfully applied. In this process, fine powder particles are accelerated in a supersonic gas jet towards a substrate. Experimental investigations show that successful bonding of the particles to the substrate is achieved only above a critical particle velocity at which point the particles possess sufficient kinetic energy to plastically deform upon impact. Consequently, one of the most important parameters in the cold spray process is the particle velocity prior to impact. In the present investigation, the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique have been implemented to a cold spray setup. The objective was to quantify the effects of the powder feed rate on the particle velocity. Fine metal particles were cold sprayed and in-flight particle velocities were measured using the PIV technique. This paper will discuss the implementation of the systems and present results illustrating the effects of powder feed rate on the particle in-flight velocity. Abstract only; no full-text paper available.