Centrifugal Spray Additive Deposition

Abstract

A method and apparatus for consolidating granular feedstock material into a coating or bulk article is described. Typically, metal powder, either a pure metal or an alloy, is used as feedstock. However, mixtures of different metal powders may be used or mixtures of metal powders, metallic composite powders, and/or ceramic powders may be used as well. Feedstock material is injected into a rotating throwing wheel. The throwing wheel imparts kinetic energy to the feedstock material, accelerating individual feedstock particles to high velocities. The granular feedstock material is ejected from the throwing wheel by centrifugal forces at high velocities. When the particles impact a suitable surface with sufficient velocity, the feedstock powders will deposit and bond to the surface rather than rebounding or merely embedding, producing a deposition. By relative translation between the surface and the wheel, a coating or article is fabricated.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.