Plasma Spray Coating
Plasma Spray Coating
Plasma spray coatings are a versatile and effective way to protect surfaces from wear, corrosion, and high temperatures. Plasma spray can also be used to improve the appearance of surfaces and to repair damaged surfaces. The process of plasma spraying involves heating a material to its melting point using an electric arc or radio frequency plasma plume. The high temperatures of the plasma jet melt the material, which is then deposited onto the coated surface. Plasma spray coatings are often used in high-temperature applications, such as turbine engine components because they can withstand extremely high temperatures. In addition, plasma spray coatings can be used to repair worn or damaged surfaces. Plasma spraying is the most versatile way to apply thermal spray coatings at Hayden Corporation.
Hayden’s plasma spray coating services are available for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, oil and gas, military and defense industrial equipment and components and more. At Hayden Corp, we have the experience and capabilities to handle projects of any size, from a single prototype to large-scale production runs.
Low Coating Profile
Like other thermal spray processes, the purpose of a plasma system is to heat and project particles of the material to be applied toward the work surface with as little waste and overspray as possible. Predating the HVOF system, the development of the plasma gun focused only partially on imparting velocity to the powder.
The plasma arc that gives the gun its name was developed as an electrical replacement for the flame used in older flame spray systems. In these guns, the primary objective is to heat the particulate enough before impact that the softened material can easily deform enough to mechanically bond to the surface profile. By connecting opposing poles of a high-potential power supply to a central electrode and concentric nozzle, a high temperature (50,000°F) arc can be created between the two. With the addition of a high-flow-rate inert gas such as argon or nitrogen along the axis of the arc electrodes, the plasma stream can be pushed forward out the front of the gun.
Powder is injected into this hot plasma flame near the front of the nozzle. The arc gas and powder carrier gas expand rapidly in the heat of the plasma flame, and the subsequent velocity propels the hot powder particulate forward.
