Laser Heat Treatment for Improved Cold-Sprayed Copper Coating Ductility

Abstract This work aims to evaluate the viability of laser heat treatments as a method to recover cold-sprayed coating ductility, i.e., to achieve with laser heat treatment a gain in elongation equivalent to a furnace heat treatment. A 4kW YAG laser was employed to heat treat 4-5 mm thick coldsprayed copper coatings produced on coupons and on prototypes of large components. Surface temperatures were monitored during the heat treatment using an infrared camera. Hardness and tensile properties were measured on as-sprayed and heat-treated coatings. Microstructural examinations provided additional insights to explain the properties evolution during heat treatment.