Deposition of Amorphous Aluminum Alloys as a Replacement for Aluminum Cladding

The protective properties of the oxide films that form on aluminum alloys can break down locally and allow extensive corrosion. An amorphous alloy system recently developed at the University of Virginia is promising as an environmentally compliant metal cladding. We propose a new method for converting alloy powder into coatings. This technique does not require large standoffs and has very high heating and cooling rates, which prevents grain growth and result in deposition of amorphous material. The substrate remains at low temperature during deposition.