Kinetic MetallizationTM of Tungsten Carbide Wear Resistant Coatings

Electroplated hard chrome coatings have largely been replaced with HVOF WC-Co and WC-CoCr in aerospace applications. However, the HVOF process suffers from several drawbacks and limitations including, high noise levels, high-temperature, low ductility, expensive surface preparation and final polishing, low target efficiency, expensive powder feed stock, expensive gas feed stock, expensive and cumbersome cooling requirements

Kinetic Metallization^TM (KM) is a cost effective, higher performance method of applying tungsten carbide wear resistant coatings. KM limits or eliminates the limitations cited above and adds the capability of producing coatings in IDs as small as 50mm. This paper will review the success to date of applying KM WC-Co coatings to aircraft components.