This paper provides an update on the state of cold spray corrosion mitigation and repair as it applies to equipment operated by the U.S. Navy. It also presents several application scenarios in which cold-sprayed Al 6061 and NiCr-CrC can improve preventative maintenance and dimensional restoration procedures currently used on A36 steel and CuNi structures.

This study investigates the development of fatigue failure in steel specimens coated by various spraying methods with and without grit blasting. Commercial titanium powder was deposited on structural steel substrates by low-pressure and portable cold spray as well as plasma and warm spray. Coating samples were subjected to strain-controlled cyclic bending, while monitoring resonant frequency as a measure of accumulated damage. A change in frequency of 4 Hz was chosen as the test-stop with the corresponding cycle count serving as the main indicator of fatigue life. Test results are presented in the paper along with explanations of fatigue mechanisms and process-related factors.

The fatigue performance of conventional structural steel with an applied thermal barrier coating (TBC) was evaluated via cyclic bending. Tests were carried out for as-received and grit-blasted substrates as well as for samples with thermally sprayed bond coats and topcoats. Failure mechanisms were identified and changes in fatigue resistance were assessed based on results obtained for different loading amplitudes supplemented by fractographic analysis.

Iron ore pellets are sintered and reduced in continuous large industrial oil-fired furnaces. From the furnace, large volumes of hot gas are sucked by powerful fans. Being exposed to gas-borne iron particles and temperatures ranging between 125°C and 328°C fan components are rapidly deteriorated. Extensive part repair or replacement are required for maintaining a profitable operation. The arc spraying technique has been suggested for repair provided it could produce erosion resistant coatings. Commercial wires were arc sprayed using various spray parameters to produce thick coatings. Arc-sprayed coatings and reference specimens were erosion tested at 25°C and 330°C and impact angles of 25° and 90° in a laboratory gas-blast erosion rig. This device was designed to impact materials with coarse (32 -300 μm) iron ore particles at a speed of 100 m/s. The volume loss was accurately measured with a laser profilometer. Few arc sprayed coatings exhibited erosion resistance comparable with structural steel at low impact angles. Erosion of arc sprayed coatings and reference specimens dramatically increases at 330°C for both 25° and 90° impact angles. Erosion-enhanced oxidation was found responsible for the increase in wastage above room temperature. Though arc spraying can be appropriate for on-site repair, the development of erosion resistant coatings is required for intermediate temperatures.

Low-velocity oxyfuel-spray and arc-spray coatings of Zn, Zn-Al, Al, and various Al-Si and Al-Mg alloys were tested in immersion and salt-spray conditions with artificial sea water for up to 6,000 hours. Coatings were tested as-sprayed or sealed with fluorocarbon, epoxy or silicone sealants. Comparison and overview of coatings recommended by international and Japanese standards are considered. Coatings Al 99.8 outperformed Zn 99.9 and Zn-13A1 ones while Al-(2.5~5.2)Mg and Al-(5~6)Si showed better corrosion resistance than Al 99.8 coatings. The silicone sealant offered better resistance than fluorocarbon and epoxy organic sealants.

A review of selected national and international thermal spraying guides and specifications for the preservation of steel and reinforced concrete using thermal spray coating of aluminum, zinc and their alloys is presented. The work program and current status of the US national organizations contributing to and developing test methods and process standards are summarized along with those of ISOATC 107/SC 5. The Secretariat of the ISO/TC 107/SC 5, Thermal Spraying was transferred from AFNOR, France, to ANSI, US, in June 1995. ANSI, in turn, designated AWS to be its delegate in thermal spray matters. The work program of the newly formed SSPC/NACE/AWS Tri-Society Committee on thermal spray coatings for the corrosion protection of steel is summarized.