In-situ Construction and Anti-laser Ablation Performance of Network AlN/Al Composite Coatings

GAO Shan; YU Zhenyu; HE Zhishuai; ZHU Wenhui; YIN Fengshi; MA Xia; ZHAO Yongfeng

doi:10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.01.019

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Surface Technology ›› 2026, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (1) : 217-230. DOI: 10.16490/j.cnki.issn.1001-3660.2026.01.019

Thermal Spraying and Cold Spraying Technology

In-situ Construction and Anti-laser Ablation Performance of Network AlN/Al Composite Coatings

GAO Shan, YU Zhenyu, HE Zhishuai, ZHU Wenhui, YIN Fengshi, MA Xia^*, ZHAO Yongfeng^*

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Abstract

To enhance the protective performance of military equipment, a design strategy for three-dimensional network AlN/Al composite coatings is proposed in this work. These coatings were prepared on the surface of 7A52 aluminum alloy with supersonic flame spraying equipment (HVAF). The microstructure of the AlN/Al composite coatings was studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The density of the material was measured with a JA 2003 densitometer and the microhardness of the coating was tested with a microhardness tester. The interfacial bonding strength between the coating and the substrate was tested according to the tensile test method. The thermal conductivity of the AlN/Al composite material was tested according to the laser flash method. The ablation resistance performance of the AlN/Al composite coating was tested by fiber laser and the surface roughness of the coating after ablation was tested by KC series laser spectrum confocal microscope. The coatings exhibited a dense structure, and nano AlN particles were interconnected, forming a three-dimensional network. In addition, the coating adhered well to the surface of the substrate, the interfacial bonding strength between the coating and the substrate was higher than 61.3 MPa. The thickness and microhardness of the AlN/Al composite coating were significantly affected by the spraying parameters. The coating thickness was within the range of 64 μm to 188 μm, and the coating hardness was within the range of 130.7HV to 201.3HV. Subsequently, the anti-laser ablation performance of the composite coatings was tested on the coating S1 with the highest hardness and the coating S9 with the thickest thickness under a laser energy density of 1 000 W/cm² respectively. The research results indicated that with a laser ablation duration of 5 seconds, due to the existence of network AlN in the AlN/Al composite coating, a continuous heat conduction channel was formed, which could make the heat evenly distributed. As the ablation time increased, the accumulated heat input exceeded the heat dissipation capacity threshold of the AlN network, causing the coating to deform. However, in thicker coatings, the skeletal support effect of the reticular AlN was still maintained, and the coating could still provide protection for the substrate. When the laser action duration was further extended to 15 seconds, the AlN in the composite coating coarsen at high temperatures and formed a rod-shape morphology. The three-dimensional network structure was damaged and the coating completely failed. The relatively thick thickness was conducive to the formation of a high thermal conductivity path within the coating, making the heat evenly distributed and effectively alleviating thermal stress concentration. By utilizing the skeletal support effect of the network structure, it can inhibit the plastic deformation and crack propagation of the Al substrate, thus maintaining the integrity of the coating structure and enhancing the laser protection performance of the coating. The results confirms that the thicker three-dimensional network AlN/Al composite coating can maintain the structural integrity of the coating, thereby improving the laser protection performance of the coating and providing a theoretical basis for the design of protective coatings for military equipment.

Key words

laser protection / supersonic flame spraying / three-dimensional network AlN / composite coatings / anti-laser ablation performance

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GAO Shan, YU Zhenyu, HE Zhishuai, ZHU Wenhui, YIN Fengshi, MA Xia, ZHAO Yongfeng. In-situ Construction and Anti-laser Ablation Performance of Network AlN/Al Composite Coatings[J]. Surface Technology. 2026, 55(1): 217-230

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