NCMS Project #: 142296
Problem: When a part breaks, chips, or corrodes, end-product performance can degrade and cause significant maintenance and sustainment issues. The choices for operators and maintainers are typically to repair the affected part or fully replace it. Depending on the importance of the part to the safety and operation of the end product, full part replacement has been the predominant choice due to the lack of innovative technology solutions for repair. Recent advances in commercial cold spray technologies and processes have shown to be very effective at protecting parts from corrosion and repairing damaged parts. However, it is challenging to apply these coatings to parts of intricate or complex geometry or to the inside of cylindrical bores.
Benefit: The completion of these tasks will serve as an example to commercial industry in how new materials and processes can be used to better protect the environment while protecting complex machinery and parts from damage. Use of this method will reduce necessary maintenance, increase the safety of maintenance personnel, and increase the lifespan of parts.
Solution/Approach: The overall intent of this initiative is to continue to develop the advanced manufacturing process and capability to apply advanced cold spray coatings to parts with confined spaces. Phase VI will focus on continued cold spray process development over complex part features. It will also mature the design of a system to coat said features inside confined spaces and will build and test said system for that purpose.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Enhance readiness of weapons systems
- Reduce repair time and equipment downtime
- Decrease maintenance and sustainment costs
- Lessen rate and amount of corrosion
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) – Army Research Laboratory (ARL)
- U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center
Industry Participation:
- Solvus Global
- VRC Metal Systems
- General Electric Research Center
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Repair turnaround time
- Mx avoidance & reliability
- Positive environmental impact
- Safety
- Mx management improvement
- Improved readiness
- Durability
- Reliability improvement
Mx Focus Area:
- Coatings and Corrosion Prevention
