Metallic Coatings on Biocompatible Polymer by Cold Spray

In present, metallic coatings on polymer substrates are catching interest for more and more technological applications e.g. metallic coatings on polymers are widely studied these days for lightening impact protection of aircraft structural component. Biocompatible Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been chosen for polymer coatings on metallic substrates in the current work since it is one of the most popular high-performance polymer, utilized for many technological applications. The cold spray potential of producing metallic coatings on PEEK polymer has been investigated in the current work. Thin and thick coatings of aluminium and copper were deposited on PEEK. Furthermore, the deposition behavior of Al-alloy, Ti-alloy, Stainless Steel, and Inconel on PEEK was also investigated. It was observed that polymer was not degraded during the process and influence of high energy particles on polymer substrate was studied by measuring distortion in the polymer substrates. Microstructural characterization and adhesion test have been performed to evaluate the coating quality. The results show that roughness of the polymer surface and coating thickness of deposited metallic material influence the bonding strength. Also, the effect of initial layer on coating build-up were determined.