Papers by Author: Jean Gabriel Legoux

Abstract: This study investigates the effect of powder processing on powder flowability, compact ability, and the heat treatment of the resulting coatings on the mechanical properties of cold gas dynamic sprayed Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Nitrogen gas was used throughout the coating deposition process. Propellant gas temperature and pressure were attuned to maximize particle impact velocity. Three powder processing conditions were used in this study: as received (AR), low-energy ball milled (BM), and argon atmosphere heat treated (HT). Results showed coating porosities of around 6 to 7%, regardless of the feedstock powder used or the heat treatment performed. It was observed at 600 and 800°C anneals that a coating hardness reduction occurred, possibly due to static recovery and recrystallization, with minor sintering possibly occurring at the 800°C anneals. In addition, micro tensile tests showed an increase in cohesion strength at higher heat treatment temperatures.

Abstract: Basically, thermal spray and laser processing can be considered as half brothers since they show many common features due to the use of a (more or less) high-energy source for both. Their combination can therefore be very fruitful and prominent to achieve coatings, which results in their most recent and advanced applications. In the materials processing development story, the laser will thus have moved from cutting to coating. This keynote presentation focuses on the recently-developed coupling of laser processing to cold spray). In this dual process, a cold spray gun is combined to a laser head in a single device, e.g. on a robot. Series of coating experiments using various laser irradiation conditions, primarily pulse frequency, were carried out for Al-based and Ni-based alloys. Laser pre-treatment of the substrate just prior to cold spray, was shown to be beneficial for adhesion of cold-sprayed coatings. Adhesion improvement was exhibited and studied from LASATesting (LASAT for “LAser Shock Adhesion Test”). Incidentally, through LASAT also, the role of lasers in the development of thermally-sprayed coatings can be considered as major. Results are discussed in the light of a TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) study of the coating-substrate interface with and without laser pre-treatment.

Abstract: Ti and Ti-6Al-4V coatings were deposited by cold gas dynamic spray process using nitrogen as propellant gas. For Ti, the inlet gas temperature and pressure were varied for two different powder morphologies in such a way that the average particle velocity ranged from ~600 to 850 m/s. In addition, the nozzle traverse speed was varied. For all conditions, the deposition efficiency, the porosity, and the microhardness were measured. It is shown that the porosity level decreased as the gas temperature and pressure increased, whereas the velocity, deposition efficiency, and microhardness increased. Furthermore, it is observed that a lower nozzle traverse speed engendered a softer coating. The coating adhesion on a grit 24 Al2O3 blasted mild steel surface was established to be greater than 78.8 MPa. In addition, a Ti-6Al-4V coating was produced and was determined to be slightly more porous compared to a CP Ti coating.

Abstract: Intermediate temperature SOFC components, such as dense, nanostructured SDC electrolytes (samarium doped ceria) and porous anode sublayers were fabricated by suspension plasma spraying using an axial feed dc plasma torch. The liquid carrier employed in this approach allowed for controlled injection of much finer particles than in conventional thermal spraying, leading to thin coatings with a refined microstructure. Dense, thin (<10(m) and non-fractured electrolytes were created. Various processing routes for SOFC half-cells, using tape-cased, plasmasprayed and suspension-sprayed anodes, were explored. Loss of integrity and non-continuous coverage of the anode constituted the principal difficulties in the subsequent electrolyte deposition. The role of suspension feedstock particle size is discussed. Amongst various schemes investigated, a processing route that employs sequential suspension plasma spraying steps for both the electrolyte and the anode, using relatively large primary particles in the feedstock, constituted the most promising approach.