REPAIR OF APACHE MAST SUPPORT ON AH64 HELICOPTER USING COLD SPRAY

摘要

A novel process for repairing and rebuilding damaged Aluminum components was developed by the Army Research Laboratory at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland using Supersonic Particle Deposition commonly referred to as Cold Spray. A Centerline Model # SSM-P3300 Portable Cold Spray Deposition System was utilized to deposit a highly adherent, dense material to repair corrosion damage pits and to rebuild the snap ring groove and gear teeth on the mast support utilized on the AH-64 Apache Helicopter. Microstructual analysis in addition to adhesion, fatigue and corrosion tests was performed to evaluate the characteristics of Cold Spray Aluminum coatings. The deposited material was subsequently machined using conventional machining tools to dimensionally restore the component to its original condition. Final testing and approval for implementation of this repair procedure is in progress.