A Novel Coaxially Laser-Assisted (COLA) Cold Spray System
Evaluation Of The Capability Of The Novel Coaxially Laser-Assisted (COLA) Cold Spray System
Allen C M1, Marrocco T1, McNutt P1, Latokartano J2, Olsson R3 and Wiklund G3
1TWI Ltd., Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AL, United Kingdom.
2Tampere University of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Systems, Korkeakoulunkatu 6, FI-33720 Tampere, Finland.
3Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, SE-971 87 Luleå, Sweden.
Laser-assisted cold-spray is already recognised as capable of depositing high quality coatings. Laser heating softens the substrate, reducing gas and powder requirements for deposition, saving the end-user operational costs. Harder material combinations can also benefit, higher quality coatings of lower porosity and oxygen content being deposited.
In this work, a novel co-axially laser-assisted (COLA) system has been evaluated. This can be retro-fitted to a cold spray gun, and uses bespoke closed-loop process control. A range of industrially relevant materials have been sprayed, and selected microstructures and coating properties analysed.