PTS Coating of Amorphous/Nanocrystalline Alloys as a Replacement for Aluminum Cladding
Ben M. Gauthier and Igor Vidensky, Enigmatics, Inc.; Shmuel Eidelman, Science Applications Int'l Corp; Nicole Tailleart and John R. Scully, University of Virginia

A miniature Pulsed Thermal Spray (PTS) process has been developed for applying amorphous/nanocrystalline aluminum alloy coatings as a replacement for existing aluminum cladding processes. The new coating process will enable deposition of a locally repairable and field-serviceable corrosion barrier for critical aircraft components. This coating offers three distinct modes of corrosion protection: as a corrosion barrier, as a sacrificial anode, and through active release of inhibitor ions. The concept is based on the recently developed family of Al-Co-Ce alloys, which offer the capability of compositionally tuning the electrochemical properties with respect to the three modes of protection. The PTS coating methodology allows efficient deposition of high-density nanostuctured coatings of Al-Co-Ce with corrosion protection properties retained due to very high particle quench rate. In addition, low thermal load on the substrate during PTS coatings does not detrimentally impact the substrate mechanical properties. This paper will present test results of PTS Al-Co-Ce coatings, evaluating performance with respect to all three modes of corrosion protection. Accelerated corrosion tests (ASTM B-117 Salt Spray) will compare PTS coated samples with uncoated samples and aluminum clad samples.

Metallic and Metal-Rich Coatings

The Preliminary Program for 2009 DoD Corrosion Conference (August 10-14, 2009)