Kinetic Metallization a Field Repair Process for IVD Aluminum Coatings on High Strength Steels

摘要

High strength steels such as 300M, Aeromet 100, and 4340 superalloys, typically used for landing gear components, require a corrosion protection coating. Unfortunately, cadmium coatings are no longer environmentally acceptable for these applications by Executive Order E013148 and other environmental regulations. The closest single material to serve as a replacement for cadmium on high strength steels is Ion Vapor Deposition (IVD) of aluminum, which is not field repairable except through brush plating processes. Inovati has developed an aluminum composite coating called Al-Trans that is applied to steel telecommunication racks using the Kinetic Metallization process. Techniques for using Kinetic Metallization to make field repairs of IVD aluminum coatings are being developed and qualified under a Navy SBIR program. Preliminary performance testing of Al-Trans coatings applied to high-strength steels with the Kinetic Metallization process will be presented in this paper, along with a design concept for a portable Kinetic Metallization system that enables field repairs of aluminum coatings.