Thermal spray powders

Q: What types of powders are used in thermal spray guns?

Thermal spray guns can use a variety of powders, including metals (like Cu, Al, Ni, Inconel, Stellite), ceramics (such as Al₂O₃‑based, TiO₂‑based, ZrO₂‑based), carbides (WC‑CoCr, Cr₂C₃‑NiCr, etc.), and abradables (e.g., AlSi‑Polyester blends).

Q: How does the choice of powder affect the thermal spray application?

The choice of powder has a direct impact on the performance of the properties of the final thermal spray coating. For example, carbide powders (such as WC-CoCr or Cr₃C₂-NiCr) provide exceptional wear resistance, while ceramic powders (like Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, or ZrO₂) deliver hardness and corrosion protection. FST offers a wide range of high-quality materials, all stocked at local offices worldwide to ensure quick availability and tailored material choice.

Q: Can thermal spray guns apply abradable coating, and what are they?

Yes. Abradable coatings,like AlSi‑Polyester blends, are designed to wear away in a controlled manner, deal for maintaining close clearances in turbines and compressors, and are typically applied by the Plasma Spray Process.

Q: What carbide powders are typically used in thermal spray guns for enhanced wear resistance?

Common carbide powders include tungsten carbides (e.g., Wc-Co, WC‑CoCr, WC‑Ni, WC‑Cr₃C₂‑Ni) and chromium carbides (like Cr₂C₃‑NiCr, Cr₃C₂‑NiCrMoNb), prized for their exceptional wear and erosion resistance.

Each successful thermal spray application is dependent on the right material choice. FST can help you choose the best material for your application from our wide product range of quality materials. The most common materials are stocked at the local FST offices worldwide.