Microstructure, Mechanical, and Corrosion Properties of 304 Stainless Steel-H13 Tool Steel Composite Cold Spray Coatings

The main objective of this work is to investigate the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of 304 stainless steel-H13 composites produced using high pressure cold spray process. 304 stainless steel powders with varying amount of H13 tool steel powders (0, 25, 50 and 75 wt.%) were pre-mixed and cold spray deposited using nitrogen process gas to produce metal-metal composites. H13 tool steel addition improved plastic deformation, reduced porosity, increased microhardness, and tensile properties of 304 cold spray coatings. The tensile properties increased with the increase in H13 tool steel content and with post deposition heat treatment. Post deposition heat treatment at 900 °C significantly improved the tensile strengths and ductility of the composite coatings. However, the wear rate and corrosion susceptibility increased with the tool steel addition in the as-deposited condition, but improved when heat treated to 900 °C. The overall results suggest that the addition of H13 in 304 cold sprayed coatings deposited with nitrogen process gas could be used as a cheaper alternative to helium as well as improve both the microstructure and mechanical properties over pure 304 cold spray coatings.