Properties of SiC-Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Coatings Produced by the Cold Spray Deposition Process

SiC-reinforced Al-12Si alloy coatings were produced using the Cold Gas Dynamic Spraying deposition process. Feedstock powder mixtures containing 20% and 30% vol. of particulate SiC were used. The composite coatings’ bond strengths and microstructures were evaluated, as well as the porosity and the SiC content. It was found that approximately 45% of the SiC particulate blended with the aluminum alloy was embedded in the coatings. The SiC was homogeneously distributed inside the Al-12Si matrix. Particle velocity measurements revealed that the addition of up to 30% vol. of SiC did not change the Al-12Si particle velocities.