Development and Characterization of Ni-Al-Bronze-WC Composite Coatings Prepared by HVOF Thermal Spray

Wednesday, May 7, 2025: 9:10 AM
Room 17 (Vancouver Convention Centre)
Mr. Unnikrishnan Pullarkkadu Devadas , Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia, Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai, India
Dr. Surinder Singh , Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
Mr. Ecio Bosi , Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
Dr. Ashok Meghwal , Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
Prof. Srinivasa Rao Bakshi , Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai, India
Prof. M Kamaraj , Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, Chennai, India
Prof. Christopher C. Berndt , Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
Prof. Andrew Ang , Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
Cast Nickel-Aluminum Bronze (NAB), commonly used in ship propellers, was coated with mechanically alloyed tungsten carbide (WC) and NAB powder using high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying. This composite coating aims to enhance resistance to cavitation erosion and corrosion degradation in marine environments. Optimized milling parameters were employed to mechanically alloy the NAB and WC powders. Also, the WC particle size was varied to evaluate its effects on the coating's mechanical properties and cavitation erosion resistance. The coatings underwent linear sweep voltammetry, potentiostatic corrosion tests, and immersion corrosion tests in 3.5% NaCl solution to assess corrosion performance. Additionally, vibratory cavitation erosion tests were performed to compare the erosion resistance of different WC particle sizes against cast NAB. This study demonstrates the potential of WC-NAB composite coatings, applied via HVOF, to improve NAB propellers' corrosion and erosion protection.
See more of: Wear and Corrosion Protection Applications for: Marine I
See more of: Thermal Spray Applications