Apparatus for gas-metal arc deposition

US5052331A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the United Sates Department of Energy · US

Inventors

• Carol L. Buhrmaster · Corning, US
• Denis E. Clark · Idaho Falls, US
• Herschel B. Smartt · Idaho Falls, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 29, 1990
• Grant date: Oct 1, 1991
• Expiry date: May 29, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C23C4/134
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Apparatus for gas-metal arc deposition of metal, metal alloys, and metal matrix composites. The apparatus contains an arc chamber for confining a D.C. electrical arc discharge, the arc chamber containing an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a deposition chamber having a deposition opening in alignment with the orifice for depositing metal droplets on a coatable substrate. Metal wire is passed continuously into the arc chamber in alignment with the orifice. Electric arcing between the metal wire anode and the orifice cathode produces droplets of molten metal from the wire which pass through the orifice and into the deposition chamber for coating a substrate exposed at the deposition opening. When producing metal matrix composites, a suspenion of particulates in an inert gas enters the deposition chamber via a plurality of feed openings below and around the orifice so that reinforcing particulates join the metal droplets to produce a uniform mixture which then coats the exposed substrate with a uniform metal matrix composite.