A Comparative Study of Aluminium and Titanium Warm Sprayed Coatings on AZ91E Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) and titanium (Ti) coatings were applied on AZ91E magnesium alloy using a low-pressure warm spray (WS) method. The deposition was completed using three different nitrogen flow rates (NFR) for both coatings. NFR effects on coating microstructure and other physical properties were systematically studied. Microstructural characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the porosity was estimated using two methods—image analysis and X-ray microtomography. The coating adhesion strength, wear resistance, and hardness were examined. The protective properties of the coatings were verified via a salt spray test. Decreasing NFR during coating deposition produced more dense and compact coatings. However, these conditions increased the oxidation of the powder. Al coatings showed lower hardness and wear resistance than Ti coatings, although they are more suitable for corrosion protection due to their low porosity and high compactness.