What is Cold Spray?

All About Cold Spray

Cold Spray Is a Solid-State Coating and Repair Process

Cold spray, also called supersonic particle deposition, is a solid-state coating and repair process that uses a heated, high-pressure gas (nitrogen, helium, or air) to accelerate metal powders through a supersonic nozzle. These particles impact a surface at supersonic speed, forming strong mechanical and metallurgical bonds without melting the material.

Unlike traditional welding or thermal spray, cold spray operates below melting temperatures—preserving material properties, avoiding distortion, and enabling structural-strength repairs that can match or exceed wrought properties.

The Cold Spray Advantage

Cold spray technology offers unique advantages for manufacturing and repair across aerospace, defense, energy, maritime, automotive, and heavy equipment industries:

No Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ)

Prevents warping, oxidation, and thermal damage.

Stronger Bonds

Enables restoration of high-value components with bond strengths >10 ksi and coating strengths >40 ksi.

Corrosion & Wear Resistance

Extends mission critical component lifespan.

High Efficiency

Achieves deposition efficiencies over 80%, reducing waste.

Environmental & Safe

Produces no toxic fumes and minimal overspray, making it cleaner than welding or thermal spray.

Versatility

Works with aluminum, copper, titanium, Inconel, and more.

Rapid Repairs

Reduces downtime for critical aerospace, military, and industrial assets.

Unlimited Thickness

Build up worn or damaged surfaces to original dimensions without the typical limits of thermal spray.

The Process: How Cold Spray Works

Powder Acceleration

A high-pressure gas (e.g., nitrogen or helium) is electrically heated and expands through a de Laval nozzle to drive metal powder particles to supersonic speeds.

Impact & Solid-State Bonding

The gas and particles accelerate through a nozzle to supersonic speeds, and Particles plastically deform on impact, creating a combination of mechanical interlocking and metallurgical bonding from localized dynamic recrystallization.

Building

Layer-by-layer deposition forms dense coatings or dimensional restorations with precise temperature control and minimal masking.

No Melting or Heat Distortion

Unlike thermal spray, cold spray avoids any phase change, preserving the powder’s properties and minimizing substrate heat distortion.

Cold spray Solutions

Explore Equipment Options

Cold Spray

Dragonfly

Cold Spray

Brolga-002

Cold Spray

Brolga-003

Cold Spray

Firefly

Cold Spray

GEN IV

Cold Spray

C.A.M.P. Site

Cold Spray

Raptor

Cold Spray

Consumables

Cold Spray

Additives

Portable Dust Collector

Vark

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Cold Spray Technology

 

Cold spray, also called supersonic particle deposition, is a solid-state metal coating and repair process. Using a heated, high-pressure gas, fine metal powders are accelerated to supersonic speeds through a nozzle. When these particles impact a surface, they bond without melting, forming dense, high-strength coatings or restoring worn components to original dimensions.