Oscillating Contact Wear in Cold Sprayed Ti6Al4V Coatings for Aeronautical Repairs

Ti6Al4V coatings were cold sprayed onto the same bulk alloy using standard conditions and a set of parameters developed to improve the coating’s performance. In addition, the enhanced coating was heat treated to improve coating adhesion and reduce porosity. Wear tests were performed, onto the coatings and the substrate, in oscillating conditions, which simulate wear induced by the contact with bearing parts during vibration. Wear behaviour at room temperature is dominated by a mixed mechanism, which involves plastic deformation and transference from the counterbody forming mechanically mixed layers. As temperature is increased, the formation of mechanically mixed layers dominates wear. The wear resistance of the enhanced coatings is similar to the bulk alloy, or even better in some conditions. Consequently, cold sprayed improved coatings could be used for repairing titanium components from the contact wear point of view.