Abstract
Numerical predictions and experimental observations have been correlated to improve the qualitative understanding of the degree of thermal degradation occurring during the HVOF spray deposition of Nylon-11. Particle residence time (<1 ms) in the HVOF jet was insufficient for significant decomposition of the Nylon-11 but was sufficient for noticeable discoloration (yellowing) of the particles of a powder with a mean particle size of 30 µm. Experimental observations showed this to be the case even though numerical predictions indicated that the temperature of a 30 µm diameter particle should be considerably higher than the upper degradation limit of Nylon-11. Initial thermal oxidation of Nylon-11 promotes the formation of carbon-carbon double bonds that strongly absorb in the visible spectrum even at concentrations of parts per million, resulting in discoloration of the Nylon.
