Coaxial Laser Assisted Cold Spray Technology

A novel coaxial laser assisted cold spray process will be presented. Unlike externally coupled laser assisted cold spray systems, the shadowing effect of beam attenuation is circumvented with the current technology. The laser beam, transmitted through the inner passage of a cold spray nozzle enhances deposition rate, density and enables lower pressure and temperature operation compared to conventional process. At an optimum laser power for a given precursor feed and nozzle traverse rate, a multifold improvement in bond strength is observed. The influence of laser on bonding mechanism will be discussed through splat level analysis. In addition auger spectroscopic results will be presented to illustrate changes in elemental composition of reactive metals across the particle-substrate interface.