Application of thermal spray coatings using high deposition rate equipment

Book · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:128618

Novak, H L ^[1]

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1. USBI Co., Kennedy Space Center, FL (United States)

Reusable launch vehicles located by the ocean are subject to harsh seacoast environments before launch and immersion after splashdown at sea and towback to the refurbishment facility. High strength aluminum and non-corrosion resistant steel alloys are prone to general corrosion and pitting due to galvanic couples and protective coating damage. Additional protection of structural materials with thermally sprayed pure aluminum coatings was evaluated for plasma, arc spray and high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) processes. Comparisons are made for corrosion rates of various coated aluminum alloy and steel substrates when exposed to ASTM B-117 neutral salt fog testing and also to beach exposure tests performed at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Recent development work involved the use of high deposition rate thermal arc-spray equipment. The use of an inverter power supply reduced powdering and enhanced operator visibility. Deposition rates of 45.36--68.04 kilograms/hour are obtainable using 4.76--6.35 millimeter diameter wire electrodes.

• OSTI ID: 128618
• Report Number(s): CONF-950304--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ADHESION
ALUMINIUM
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CORROSION PROTECTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FIELD TESTS
FLAME SPRAYING
INVERTERS
METALLOGRAPHY
MICROHARDNESS
PLASMA ARC SPRAYING
POWDERS
SODIUM CHLORIDES
SPRAY COATING
STEELS
ZINC