Thermal Spray Coatings for Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Fiber reinforced polymer composites are an important class of structural materials. They possess high strength-to-weight ratios and high rigidities. However, for man ' applications heir wear resistance is less than desirable. Wear resistant thermal spray coatings can enhance the surface of these materials. Coatings on some composites have satisfactory adhesion without a bond coat, but others needed an appropriate bond coat. Polymer and o her bond coats have been used to enhance he adhesion of thermal spray coatings on composites. The present study was conducted to find one or more suitable bond coat materials. Materials such as polyamides, polyimides, polyether-etherketone or simply aluminum or nickel were found to be suitable bond coats for man ' different composite substrates.