Thermal spray coatings are used to enhance the surface of solid materials to offer resistance to corrosion, wear, cavitation, and abrasion. It is also used to offer chemical resistance to the surface and insulation or electrical conductivity to the surface. Thermal spray coating is often used to extend the shelf-life of the product, as well as to re-engineer and repair damaged components. Thermal spraying is a coating process consisting of a heat source and a coating material in the form of a wire or powder that is melted and sprayed onto the surface at high velocity.
However,
the heat and mechanical force must be controlled in order to accelerate the
particles towards the surface. The resulting adhesive layer fuses powders to
the substrate. The method used in thermal spraying depends on the type of
coating that is required and the environment. The advantage of thermal spraying
is its flexibility. Thermal spraying is a versatile process that can be used
for a wide range of materials from pure metals to alloys, ceramics, carbides,
and composites. Thermal spray coatings are often used to improve wear and
friction and, as a result, the life span of machine parts is enhanced. The thermal
spray coatings market is segregated into, industrial gas, turbines, automotive, medical, and
others.
Thermal
spray coatings are often used on a vast range of components that operate in
adverse environments wear, corrosion, erosion, wear, and/or heat, conspire to
reduce component life. Thermal spraying is a coating process that provides
functional surfaces to protect or improve the performance of a substrate or a
solid material/component. Thus, there is a rise in demand for thermal spray
coatings across various end-use industries, such as medical, manufacturing,
automotive, and aerospace, among others.
For
example, in June 2018, H.C. Starck (US) announced the launch of molybdenum
thermal spray powders, which can be used to coat metal components prone to corrosion,
erosion, and wear. Thermal spray powders are used on a vast range of components
of rotating and moving parts of machines such as aerospace turbines, automobile
engines, and machine tools.