COLD SPRAY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Abstract

High Pressure Cold spray (CS) belongs to the family of thermal spraying technologies. The technology consists in accelerating microscopic particles to supersonic speed and depositing them on a substrate, where kinetic energy is converted into deformation and thermal energy at the moment of impact. Compared to conventional processes, CS offers particular advantages, as the spray material is neither melted on nor melted off during the process. This fact minimizes the thermal influence on the layer and substrate. A typical CS beam is narrow and well-defined. Because CS can be used for the fabrication of near-net-shape articles this technology has been recently applied as an additive manufacturing process. With cold spray is possible to produce individual components. It is also possible to repair damaged components. In comparison with fusion based high temperature additive manufacturing processes, CSAM (cold spray additive manufacturing) has shown to retain the original properties of the feedstock, to produce oxide-free deposits, and to not influence underlying substrate materials during manufacturing process. This article aims to provide a brief introduction to cold spray technology and CSAM. The technology and process are demonstrated on a test-manufactured copper sample.