Thermal Spray Coatings - Coating Properties and Possibilities

In principle, it is possible to coat all types of metals with all types of metals and carbides using the HVOF process – e.g. tungsten carbides, stainless steel, copper, aluminium, etc. – but the process is particularly well-suited to carbide coatings.

The possibilities are endless and include a specially developed coating approved for drinking water applications.

Owing to the inherent advantages in the process, HVOF coatings can be applied in thicknesses varying from 0.05 - 2.0 mm.

 

Typical thicknesses lie in the range 0.05 – 1.0 mm.

The sketch to the left illustrates a cross-section of a thermal spray coating.

 

 

The reason for the often significantly extended lifetime can be found in the coating’s very high carbide content of up to 90%. Wolfram carbide has a hardness of approx. 2200 HV5 – typical wear particles such as quartz/sand have a hardness of approx. 12-1500 HV5.

In comparison, the hardness resulting from various heat treatments (hardening) typically lies in the range 700–800 HV5, which means that the wear resistance is considerably lower.

THERMAL SPRAY COATINGS