Deposition System, Method And Materials For Composite Coatings

Abstract

A composite powder for a deposition of a composite coating comprises a nonmetallic component and a metallic component, the metallic component having an amorphous structure or a nanocrystalline structure. The metallic component may include an amorphous metallic alloy. The metallic alloy may include constituents having the amorphous structure. The metallic component may include a combination of the metallic alloy existing in the amorphous state and constituents of the amorphous metallic alloy in the amorphous state. The composite metal-ceramic powders are used for depositing composite coatings on a selected surface. Disclosed are several methods and systems for producing such composite powders. Disclosed are also several methods and systems for depositing composite coatings. Advantageously, the deposited coatings exhibit high corrosion resistance, high wear resistance, and excellent structural properties.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 686,813 filed on Mar. 15, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,406 issued on Mar. 2, 2010, which is a Continuation of PCT / US05 / 033203 filed on Sep. 16, 2005 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 610,472 filed on Sep. 16, 2004, entitled “Deposition System, Method and Materials for Composite Coatings,” all of which are incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention is directed to composite powders for deposition of high quality composite coatings, and systems and methods for producing such powder.BACKGROUND[0003]Metal parts of various industrial machines or general-purpose machines are required to have various properties such as impact resistance, corrosion resistance and wear resistance depending upon their respective purposes. However, in many cases, the metal (or substrate) constituting such metal parts cannot adequately satisfy the re...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention is directed to composite metal-ceramic powders used for depositing composite coatings on a selected surface. Several embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for producing such composite powders. Several embodiments of the present invention are also directed to methods and systems for depositing the metal-ceramic composite powders to form coatings. Advantageously, the deposited coatings exhibit high corrosion resistance and excellent structural properties.

[0024]According to a preferred embodiment, the novel composite metal-ceramic powders have an amorphous metallic binder to provide coatings with a combination of low cost, high hardness, high corrosion and oxidation resistance as well as high deposition efficiency. Preferably, the coatings are deposited using the thermal spray process. Additional embodiments of the present invention include thermal spray processes and thermal spray equipment optimized for specific composite metal-ceramic powders for producing the coatings.

[0025]Preferably, the novel composite metal-ceramic powders are used for surface modification of various substrates that require high impact resistance, excellent wear resistance, and excellent corrosion and erosion resistance even under high temperature. Preferably, the coatings are deposited using a deposition apparatus which generally provides a stream of gas having a desired temperature and velocity profile. The deposition apparatus includes a feeding module for the introduction of the powder or particulate material into the gas stream and deposition onto the desired surface.

[0026]Preferably, the deposition apparatus is a high velocity thermal spray (HVTS) apparatus for spraying composite metal-ceramic powders. Alternatively, the deposition apparatus is selected from the high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) apparatuses like JP 5000 manufactured by Praxair-Tafa, Diamond Jet manufactured by Sulzer Metco, Jet Kote manufactured by Stellite Coatings, Inc., or the deposition apparatuses described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,293. Other deposition apparatuses and methods may be used as well. The technology provides very good cohesion / adhesion between ceramic components and amorphous and / or nanocrystalline metallic components during the deposition process and coating formation.

Problems solved by technology

However, in many cases, the metal (or substrate) constituting such metal parts cannot adequately satisfy the required properties by itself, and it is therefore often subjected to surface modification, particularly by forming a coating or deposition on the substrate surface.

Such compositions, comprising nitrides, carbonitrides, borides (for example, titanium carbonitride) and multicomponent metallic alloys (for example, CoCrAIY, FeCrAIY, and so on) have not yet found wide application.

Melting of the nonmetallic component of a composite powder may cause its undesirable decomposition and phase transformation as well.

Splashing often results in voids and excessive surface area of the splashed particles.

These characteristics may, consequently, result in excessive oxidation, low wear, corrosion and erosion resistance of the coated object.

However, this third coating scheme may have a very low efficiency when spraying the metal-ceramic composite powders.

Disadvantages of prior art composite materials are partially related to the metallic compounds or binders, which are based on metals like Ni and Co, and the conventional crystalline alloys with other metals like Cr, etc.

In some cases these types of binders do not provide desirable corrosion resistance, bonding with nonmetallic components of a composite material, wear and erosion resistance, toughness and some other properties determining performance of the composite material.

Notably, Co and Ni based alloys are expensive.

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