Metal thermal spraying is a coating process that involves applying a molten or semi-molten metal onto a surface using a thermal spray gun. Here's a simple explanation:
Preparation:
The surface to be coated is cleaned and prepared for thermal spraying.
Spray Gun Setup:
A thermal spray gun is loaded with metal feedstock in the form of wires, powders, or rods.
Heating the Material:
The metal feedstock is heated to a molten or semi-molten state using a heat source such as a flame, plasma, or electric arc.
Spraying Process:
The molten metal is sprayed onto the prepared surface as tiny particles.
Coating Formation:
The sprayed metal particles solidify upon contact with the surface, forming a coating.
Types of Thermal Spraying:
Common methods include flame spraying, plasma spraying, high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spraying, and arc spraying.
Applications:
Used for corrosion protection, wear resistance, thermal insulation, and restoring dimensions on various surfaces.
Advantages:
Thermal spraying allows for the application of coatings on irregularly shaped or large surfaces.
In simple terms, metal thermal spraying is a process of applying a molten or semi-molten metal coating onto a surface using a thermal spray gun, providing protective or functional properties to the coated object.