SEALED COAT APPLICATION

Thermal spray coatings are versatile and serve a variety of specialized applications. They can be used for metal build-up to enhance a part's performance or to create an aesthetic metallic finish on non-metallic surfaces.

Oxygen/fuel thermal spray processes allow metallic materials to be applied, resulting in a shiny metal finish when the coating is machined or brush-finished. These coatings can have a low or high luster, depending on the desired appearance.

Thermal spray wire materials can also be flame-sprayed to provide coatings and surface treatments. Zinc and aluminum offer excellent protection against salt air, while silver and tin make for superior electronic connections. Molybdenum and nickel can be used to restore and enhance the diameter of high-speed shafts.

The thermal spray coating processes include flame spray, plasma arc spray, and twin-wire arc spray, all of which utilize various metal materials. For example, a thin aluminum "cool coating" can be applied to headers and engine brackets to provide corrosion protection and heat dissipation. Other common applications include hard-facing on metal stamping tools, corrosion coatings for mining equipment, and the creation of injection mold tooling.