Novel Atmospheric High Power Impulse Plasma Source for Durable, Field Applicable Coatings
Abstract
The main objective of this effort was to investigate a novel atmospheric pressure, non-thermal High Power Impulse Plasma Source (HiPIPS) for deposition of field applicable coatings that meet military systems technical requirements while reducing DoD's current systems' environmental and logistical footprints. The specific aims for this project were to i) investigate atmospheric pressure HiPIPS for deposition of durable protective coatings and ii) characterize the structural, mechanical and corrosion performance of the resultant coatings. SwRI has developed a promising atmospheric HiPIPS technique that provides an unparalleled plasma processing space of very high density, high flux plasmas at low temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions. The HiPIPS plasma jets, driven by advanced high power pulsed DC generators, produce extremely high power densities that can be used for the deposition of films. SwRI has conducted a systematic experimental study on the HiPIPS process parameters and resultant coating properties towards development of HiPIPS deposition of CoCr, Ti-6Al-4V and TiN coatings. Plasma properties were characterized using current-voltage probes and optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The microstructure and elemental composition of resulting deposited were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The crystallographic properties of the coatings were examined with X-ray diffraction (XRD). Pressure hardened 4340 steel and 7075 aluminum alloy substrate materials were evaluated. Control samples were prepared using chrome plating services by the Corpus Christi Army Depot. The corrosion and mechanical performance of these HiPIPS coatings were evaluated and compared with traditional chrome plated and uncoated alloys using GM 14872 accelerated corrosion test environment and fatigue testing per ASTM E466, respectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 03, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1135590
Entities
People
- Vasiliki Z. Poenitzsch
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute