Coatings for Enhanced Functionality of Light Alloys

Purpose and goal:

Enhancing the surfaces of the light alloys through surface engineering and advanced coatings could result in radical improvements in their functionality while reducing the overall cost, thereby leading the way to their widespread implementation. Coatings produced by thermal spray (TS) have some distinct advantages over other methods as they can be deposited over a wide thickness range, onto components with complex geometries, and at comparatively lower costs.

The aim of this project is to develop advanced coatings by TS for enhanced functionality of light alloys. Expected results and effects:

The results will directly benefit diverse industrial sectors such as automotive, marine and materials industry. The industrial partners will be closely engaged in the project and thus obtain direct benefit from the results. The project will also contribute to the TS scientific community through innovation and progress in materials science, surface engineering and coatings.

The know-how and results generated will be fruitful for further application of TS on light alloys for a variety of industrial applications expanding into a new research area for application of TS coatings. Approach and implementation:

The project activities are divided in the following work packages (WP): WP1 Technical specifications and selection of materials, WP2 Process optimisation and producing test specimens, WP3 Laboratory testing and characterisation of test specimens, WP4 Deposition on industrial components, WP5 Testing of industrial components, WP6 Characterisation of industrial components, WP7 Advanced coating investigations for fundamental understanding, and WP8 Project management and dissemination.