Metallic Coating of Composite Materials

The use of composites as structural components is increasing due to good strength to weight ratios. However their limited surface properties prevent their use in applications where thermal management, wear resistance or electrical conductivity is required e.g. aircraft engines, missile systems, helicopter blades etc. TWI has developed an advanced coating technology (CompoSurf™), employing thermal and cold spraying processes, which offers the prospect of increased functionality of composite materials. The coatings enhance the surface properties of composites to provide greater resistance to wear and erosion, corrosion, as well as providing electrically conductive (CompoStrike™ and CompoConduct™), tooling surfaces (CompoTool™) and thermal protection (CompoTherm™).

This presentation will show examples of where the coatings have been developed for specific applications, and recent advances in this exciting area.