COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING OF CENTRIFUGAL SHS COATINGS

A computer-aided process for coated-pipe manufacturing using a centrif ugal self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) technique is pr oposed. The process is based on the occurrence of a thermite reaction involving Fe2O3 and aluminum in a field of centrifugal forces and it a llows for the preparation of coatings constituted by a ceramic layer o f alumina in the innermost region of the pipe and an iron layer betwee n the substrate pipe and the alumina one. The effect of various operat ing conditions on coating stratification and adhesion is studied using this system. The centrifugal acceleration appears to be the most impo rtant processing variable and therefore a strategy to control the proc ess by suitably adjusting the rotating speed of the pipe through the c omputer is suggested.