When machinery starts to show signs of wear and tear, you might think the only solution is to replace those expensive components completely. But thermal spray technology offers a way to breathe new life into worn parts and restore them to a condition that’s close to their original condition – so you won’t need to fully replace them.
While thermal spray can be a powerful tool for restoring worn parts and extending their service life, chrome plating, like at //www.poeton.co.uk/advanced-treatments/apticote-100-hard-chrome-plating, is also a viable alternative, especially when you need a highly polished, corrosion-resistant surface.
What Thermal Spray Is
Thermal spray is a process in which a material – often metal, ceramic, or composite – is heated to a molten or semi-molten state and then projected at high speed onto the surface of a part. The resulting coating bonds mechanically to the substrate and forms a dense, durable layer. You’ll find that this process is ideal for components that need a hard-wearing surface but can’t be taken out of service for extended periods.
Unlike traditional coatings that rely on chemical adhesion or plating baths, thermal spray creates a physical layer that can be tailored in thickness and hardness. Thermal spray coatings can be engineered to resist corrosion and reduce friction too, giving materials a new lease of life.
Applications and Benefits
One of the most exciting aspects of thermal spray is its ability to extend the life of components that would otherwise be scrapped. Worn shafts, turbine blades, hydraulic cylinders, and even moulds can all benefit from this high-performance coating.
