Abstract
Titanium grade 2 as well as steel 446 and 316L powders are applied for production of X-HVOF coatings on mild steel substrates. Deposition efficiency is determined by process parameters. Microstructural investigations are carried out by means of optical microscopy, SEM and XRD. In addition comparisons of oxygen and nitrogen content in titanium coatings and powder feedstock are drawn. Corrosion protection capability of produced coatings is studied by current density-potential measurements and by salt fog tests. Depending on the process parameters increase of oxygen and nitrogen content can be restricted to factor of 2 compared to the powder feedstock. Coatings showing nearly theoretical density in metallographical inspections are possible. In direct comparison to wrought titanium grade 2 material the corrosion behavior of the titanium coatings is very promising. Keeping in mind that coatings have been produced under atmospheric conditions the observed increase of the corrosion current density by factor four is regarded an excellent result. During the corrosion tests no damage, neither to the surface nor the substrate - indicated by rust precipitates on the specimen surface, is observed. So penetration of corrosive medium to the substrate is securely avoided.
