Cold spray is continuously expanding for the repair of parts made of aluminum-based alloys. Beyond repair applications, the process is now expected to be exploited efficiently for the additive manufacturing of shaped parts. However, up to now, cold spray is limited to the achievement of rather simple shapes due to a lack of basic knowledge on coating build-up mechanisms to result in dimension-controlled deposition. The objective of this work is to fill that gap through an experimental and modeling study of the coating build-up in cold spray for this specific application. Experimentally, Al-based coatings were deposited for a large range of particle velocity due to the use of low-pressure, medium-pressure and high-pressure cold spray facilities. Particle velocity was monitored as a function of cold spray conditions. Two different types of Al 2024 (Aluminium 2024 Alloy) powders were tested. Coating porosity and microhardness were studied as a function of (both morphological and metallurgical) powder characteristics and spray conditions, primarily in the light of particle velocity. Various correlations could be exhibited. Finite element (FE) simulations of particle impacts were developed, including particle velocity from experimental measurements. These will be used as inputs in an in-house morphological model, the first stages of which could be established successfully.

In this work, copper and PEEK powder mixtures are cold sprayed onto carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) substrates with the aim of producing a well-adhered conductive layer. The composite coatings were optimized through the study of the deposited mass and its dependence on process parameters and Cu powder morphology. A morphological model based on Cu phase data was developed to better understand coating microstructures. Coatings synthesized from irregular Cu particles were found to be electrically conductive, while those containing spherical Cu particles were insulating. These phenomena are explained using the developed simulation tools coupled with the investigation of coating build-up and microstructure.

This study deals with the influence of spray angle on the deposition of cold-sprayed Al particles. Spray trails were conducted in parallel with finite element simulations of particle deformation and coating build-up as a function of spray angle, powder size, substrate roughness, and surface configuration. Coating cross-sections and splats were examined by SEM; bonding strength and particle adhesion were determined via laser shock adhesion testing. Experimental as well as modeling results show that splats deposited at spray angles less than 60° are highly deformed and poorly adhered. Based on the findings, several conclusions are drawn with regard to the potential use of cold spraying for the repair of aircraft components.