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 assesses the mechanical performance of cold-sprayed aluminum 6061 coatings heat treated using focused IR radiation. The heat treatment was performed in-process with the aim of improving the ductility and strength of the coatings. The properties of the heat-treated samples are compared to those achieved using traditional annealing and as measured in as-sprayed samples. It was found that the rapid IR heat treatment increased the ultimate tensile strength of the coatings by 52% and elongation at failure by 43%.

This study demonstrates a novel method for improving the corrosion resistance of cold sprayed Al6061 coatings. Large stainless steel particles were added to a commercial Al6061 powder and the mixture was deposited on Mg alloy AZ31B substrates using nitrogen gas at low working pressure and temperature. It is shown that the stainless steel particles had a shot-peening effect, thus increasing the density as well as the corrosion resistance of Al6061 coatings. SEM examination showed that no stainless steel particles were incorporated in the coating.

This study assesses the potential of an amorphous-type steel for use as a thermal barrier coating (TBC) on aluminum surfaces. A high-alloy steel powder was deposited on aluminum 6061 substrates by plasma spraying. Coating samples were examined, then thermally cycled to failure. The coatings showed good microstructural stability up to 500 °C, but their spalling resistance was inferior to that of arc-sprayed stainless steel, probably due to lower initial bond strength.

This study evaluates the influence of shot peening on the fatigue life of cold spray aluminum alloy 6082 coatings. A pneumatic blast machine with standard steel shot was used to peen both uncoated and coated substrates. Six test groups representing different treatment protocols were characterized in terms of residual stress, roughness, and rotating bending fatigue. The results show that the best fatigue performance is obtained by intense shot peening prior to cold spraying. Post-treatment shot peening, in contrast, had a detrimental effect as a large portion of the kinetic energy is absorbed in the coating, resulting in surface damage rather than further work hardening.

The standard technique for applying zirconium (Zr) to uranium (U) is roll bonding, where a thin foil of Zr is placed on each side of a U plate which is then encased in steel and rolled at high temperatures. This study evaluates an alternative approach in which Zr layers are plasma sprayed on U and then clad with aluminum (Al) by hot isostatic pressing. The interface region between the Zr and Al is examined by SEM, revealing a reaction layer consisting of Al, Zr, and Si. SEM images show good conformance between the Al sheet and Zr surface along with the presence of Al in the porous Zr. Initial test results indicate that increased interface roughness and Al penetration into the plasma-sprayed Zr have the potential to improve bond strength by impeding crack propagation in the reaction layer.