When dealing with wear or abrasion issues, choosing the right thermal spray coatings is crucial. Different wear mechanisms require tailored solutions, including:
- Abrasive Wear: Caused by hard particles scraping against a surface.
- Erosive Wear: Occurs when particles impact a surface at high velocity.
- Fretting Wear: Resulting from repetitive, small-amplitude sliding motion.
- Adhesive Wear: Caused by surface adhesion and material transfer.
Why Choose Thermal Spray Coatings?
Thermal spray coatings are highly effective in combating all types of wear problems because they can be formulated with a broad range of materials. Here are the most popular types of wear-resistant coatings:
1. Carbide Coatings
Tungsten carbide and chromium carbide are among the hardest wear-resistant materials available. Using the HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) thermal spray process, these coatings can achieve hardness levels exceeding 70RC. They are ideal for applications that require a mirror finish, making them an excellent alternative to hard chrome plating.
2. Chrome Oxide Ceramic Coatings
These coatings provide outstanding wear resistance against particle erosion, cavitation, and abrasive grains, especially at temperatures below 540°C. Chrome oxide thermal spray coatings are insoluble in acids, alkalis, and alcohol, making them perfect for corrosive chemical environments up to 175-200°C.
3. Aluminum Oxide Ceramic Coatings
Also known as “White Alumina,” these coatings offer high resistance to wear from fibers, threads, and erosion at elevated temperatures. They also provide excellent thermal barrier properties and electrical resistance when sealed.
Key Benefits of Thermal Spray Coatings
- Enhanced Wear and Abrasion Resistance: Significantly reduces surface damage, extending the lifespan of industrial equipment.
- Cost Efficiency: Lowers equipment replacement costs and reduces maintenance requirements.
- Increased Hardness and Ductility: Prevents micro-cracking and surface fatigue, ensuring better performance under stress.
Typical Applications of Thermal Spray Coatings
Thermal spray coatings are widely used in various industries for:
- Winders
- Plates
- Pumps
- Roll Surfaces
- Boiler Tubes
- Valves
- Automotive Parts
Advanced Thermal Spray Coating Solutions by Portech
Portech specializes in advanced thermal spray coating solutions, offering:
- HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel & Liquid Fuel)
- Plasma Spray
- Twin Wire Arc Spray
These cutting-edge thermal spray technologies provide exceptional wear and abrasion resistance for critical industrial components.