The HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) process efficiently uses high kinetic energy and controlled thermal output to produce dense, low porosity coatings that exhibit high bond strengths, low oxides and extremely fine as-sprayed finishes. The coatings have low residual internal stresses and therefore can be sprayed to a thickness not normally associated with dense, thermal sprayed coatings.
Particularly suited to the application of high quality tungsten carbide coatings.


Plasma Spray is perhaps the most flexible of all of the thermal spray processes as it can develop sufficient energy to melt any material. Since it uses powder as the coating feedstock, the number of coating materials that can be used in the plasma spray process is almost unlimited.
A high frequency arc is ignited between an anode (nozzle) and a cathode (electrode). Process gases (generally mixtures of argon and helium) flowing between them is ionized to become a plume of hot plasma gas which are calculated to give temperatures in a range of 6,600 °C to 16,600 °C (12,000 °F to 30,000 °F). When the coating material is injected into the gas plume, it is instantly melted and propelled towards the target substrate.


An abradable coating is a coating made of an abradable material – meaning if it rubs against a more abrasive material in motion, the former will be worn whereas the latter will face no wear. Thus producing a seal between parts, when required.

Abradable coatings are used in aircraft jet engines in the compressor and turbine sections where a minimal clearance is needed between the blade tips and the casing. In typical turbo machinery, the clearance between blade tips and the casing must account for thermal expansion as well as changes in concentricity due to shock loading events. To prevent catastrophic tip to casing contact, conservatively large clearances must be employed.

The role of abradable coatings is not only to allow for closer clearances, but to automatically adjust clearances, in-situ, to accept physical events and/or thermal scenarios that may be found in a devices operational history.


Standard coatings applied include, but are not limited to;

Pure Metal & Metal Alloys Powders
Aluminium
Cobalt
Copper
Iron
Molybdenum
Nickel

MCrAIY (Super Alloys)
Cobalt
Nickel

Ceramics
Aluminium Oxide
Chromium Oxide
Zirconium Oxide

Carbides
Chromium Carbide
Tungsten Carbide

Examples of products associated to the coatings above are;-

Ball valves (ball & seats), Labyrinth seals, mechanical seals, shafts, pistons, plugs, wear pads, turbine blades, Flame tubes, housings, discharge nozzles, Air seals, actuator rings and many more.