Research and Development on Cold-Sprayed MAX Phase Coatings

Cold spraying is an attractive solid-state processing technique in which micron-sized solid particles are accelerated towards a substrate at high velocities and relatively low temperatures to produce a coating through deformation and bonding mechanisms. Metal, ceramic, and polymer powders can be deposited to form functional coatings via cold spraying. MAX phase coatings deposited via cold spraying exhibit several advantages over thermal spraying, avoiding tensile residual stresses, oxidation, undesirable chemical reactions and phase decomposition. This paper presents a review of recent progress on the cold-sprayed MAX phase coatings. Factors influencing the formation of coatings are summarized and discussions on the corresponding bonding mechanisms are provided. Current limitations and future investigations in cold-sprayed MAX coatings are also listed to facilitate the industrial application of MAX phase coatings.