Inert Gas-atomized Metal powders play a critical role in the creation of durable and high-performance thermal spray coatings. Thermal spray coatings enhanced the features such as high durability and high work performance. Almost all industries deploy these coatings, including the aerospace, automotive and power generation industries due to their versatility, low cost and ability to improve the surface properties.
The metal powders which are used for the application of thermal spray coatings encompass different properties that enhance the effective application of the coatings and their durability.
Characteristics and Properties of Metal Powders for Thermal Spray:
| Chemical Composition | The chemical composition of metal powders determines the coating’s corrosion, resistance, and mechanical properties. |
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| Particle morphology | This refers to the geometry and surface characteristics of powder particles. The geometry mainly relates to the sphericity of the powder, which improves solid-state flowability. Surface characteristics include color and smoothness. Generally, spherical and dense powders yield superior coatings. |
| Particle Size Distribution | The particle size and distribution of metal powders influence the coating’s density, surface roughness, and adhesion to the substrate.
Thermal spray powders must meet specific particle size requirements. |
| Apparent Density | The higher the bulk density of particles, the better their flowability and the higher their particle kinetic energy upon collision with the substrate during the same spraying process, resulting in a denser coating. |
| Oxygen Content | Metal powders inevitably undergo slight oxidation during the powder manufacturing process, resulting in higher oxygen content. The presence of oxides in the powder is detrimental as it can lead to the formation of pores and inclusions in the coating. Therefore, strict control is necessary to limit the oxygen content. |
Advantages & Applications of Metal Powders in Thermal Spray Coatings:
Corrosion prevention, wear resistance, and restoration are some of the primary functions of metal powder applications in thermal spray coating.
Thermal spray coatings are fabricated in several different applications with the use of Metal powders in diverse fields:
Aerospace: Used to prevent wear, erosion and high temperature operating conditions from affecting the life span and performance of aircraft components.
Automotive: In the cylinder head, car exhaust system, and other automotive parts to combat corrosion, and wear to ensure longer service.
Power Generation: In gas turbines, steam turbines and other boiler components in order to increase performance, durability and resistance to corrosion/erosion.
Steel Manufacturing: To help improve the life of the machines involved in making steel, critical points of high-temperature, acidic, and puncture resistant coatings to be added.
Powdered metals can be modified to fulfill specific mechanical properties, thus enabling the creation of coatings for different areas of application & industries and the metal powder coatings possess high wear and corrosion resistances and properties, providing durability and efficiency.
INDO-MIM is providing spherical shaped, gas atomized metal powders cost effectively which is popularly used in thermal spray coating . If you’re interested, write to us at infopowders@indo-mim.com, or infohq@indo-mim.com to get a quote.
