Aluminium coating of lead zirconate titanate-A study of cold spray variables

Cold spray was used to deposit conductive aluminium coatings onto lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoceramics. The optimisation of processing parameters was explored. Grain removal from the PZT surface due to the impact of Al particles was reduced by increasing the average particle velocity. Surface domain reorientation was detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Substrate temperatures during spraying were maintained at a low level by controlling the upstream, cold spray temperature and robot movement. The electrical resistance of the cold sprayed aluminium was 9.9 ± 0.5 μΩ cm. The impedance characteristics of poled specimens were shown to be unchanged by cold spray.