Atmospheric plasma spraying

Plasma spraying is highly suitable for spraying materials with a high melting point. It has therefore been applied more and more in the aviation and space industries, particularly in recent years.

This spraying process can process almost any powder-like material and is used mainly to create coatings that are resistant to corrosion, temperature and wear.

In plasma spraying processes an arc discharge is generated between a tungsten electrode, the cathode, and a copper nozzle, the anode. The gas for generating the plasma is supplied in axial or radial rotation to the plasma spray gun. The gas leaves the pistol as a plasma in which the coating material is injected in powder form.

The temperature in the plasma depends on the nozzle configuration and on the process parameters, and can reach values of 20,000°C. The spray gun is water-cooled. Argon or nitrogen, optionally mixed with helium or hydrogen, are applied as gases. The plasma process produces a coating layer with excellent properties in respect of strength, adhesion, homogeneity and purity.

Fields of application:
- Components susceptible to wear
- Abrasive, adhesive, erosion, fretting and cavitation effect
- Resistant to chemical corrosion
- Protection from oxidation and galvanic corrosion
- Atmospheric and heat corrosion protection
- Thermal and electrical insulation