The wire is pulled into a flame spraying gun by means of a special transportation device and is melted by the combustion of an oxygen fuel flame. A high pressure air stream constricts the combustion flame and atomizes the molten tip of the wire, forming a metal spray. Flame sprayed coatings can minimize the effects of mechanical wear especially for abrasion and wear parts for the automotive industry.

The lifetime of piston rings, synchronizer rings, shift forks and also points or calendar rolls for the paper industry is increased significantly by flame-sprayed molybdenum coatings.

PLANSEE USA supplies:

• Spray wire made of molybdenum

Plasma Spraying

Temperatures achieved during plasma spraying are approximately seven times higher than during flame spraying. Plasma spraying utilizes a stream of extremely hot, ionized gas as both a propellant and a heat source - commonly argon or nitrogen combined with hydrogen or helium at temperatures often reaching 3,630°F. Plasma nozzles and electrodes from PLANSEE are ideally suited to these extreme conditions.

Typical fields of application for plasma sprayed coatings are the aerospace or automotive industries as well as turbine construction. The technique is used to apply thick layers of refractory metals, metal oxides, carbides, borides or silicides to other materials or metals.

PLANSEE USA supplies:

• Plasma spraying nozzles and electrodes  made of W back-cast with Cu

Arc Spraying

The material to be sprayed is in the form of two wires angled to each other and they are continuously brought into contact. An electrical current passing through the wire creates an arc which melts the tips of the wires. This molten material is atomized under compressed air and sprayed onto the component surface.

Arc spraying exhibits a higher deposition efficiency as a function of time, in general improved bond strengths, thicker coatings and lower operating costs. It is therefore used in many industries, especially in the production of engines and gear boxes as well as being used as a means of wear protection for different types of tools. 

PLANSEE USA supplies:

• Spray wire made of molybdenum