High Pressure Liquid Accelerated Cold Spray

Cold Spray is an emerging technology that uses pressurized gas to accelerate metal particles above a certain critical velocity so that they adhere to the targeted substrate and to each other. Liquid accelerated cold spray uses high pressure, high velocity liquid to accelerate the particles instead of gas. The liquid is more than 1,000 denser than gas so it is more efficient at accelerating the particles and velocities greater than 1,000 m/s can be achieved with the right process parameters. Ormond uses a liquid that flashes to a gas after accelerating the particles so it doesn"t interfere with the bonding process. This project will further develop the equipment and process so as advance the process beyond coating coupons to coating parts. As the process is developed further it will also be able to make free-standing parts, thereby becoming a new and versatile method to directly manufacture components from powdered metal with a minimum of tooling.