Scientific Area: Engineering and Technology.

EXPR: Production Technology.

Name of the service: Thermal Spraying.

Main responsible: Shrikant Joshi– Professor.

Category of the service: Research group.

Target group: Industry.

Scientific refence:

Thermal spraying is a process where materials, typically in powder form, are heated to a molten or semi-molten state and then propelled onto a surface to create a coating. This versatile method allows for the deposition of various materials, including metals, alloys, ceramics, plastics, and composites, achieving thicknesses from 20 microns to several millimeters at high deposition rates. The group’s advanced spray facilities include an axial feed atmospheric plasma spray (APS) system and a high-velocity air-fuel (HVAF) unit. These systems allow for the optimal thermal spray approach based on the coating material. With the ability to spray a wide range of materials, the coatings can be tailored to meet specific functional requirements for applications in gas turbines, diesel engines, bearings, pumps, compressors, and critical components in the oil, gas, steel, and pulp and paper industries. The group’s leadership in thermal spraying research is supported by its two key systems: the APS, known for providing the highest thermal energy among thermal spray variants, and the HVAF, which compensates for lower temperature processing with high kinetic energy. Historically, the group’s research has concentrated on thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for aero-engine and land-based gas turbine applications, as well as the automotive industry. Recently, the focus has expanded to include coatings for environmental barriers, wear resistance, and corrosion protection, enhancing its expertise across various sectors.

Offer description:

Thermal spraying is a process wherein a material, traditionally fed in the form of a powder, is heated to a molten or semi-molten state in a high-temperature high-velocity zone and the resulting particle or droplet is propelled onto the surface to be coated. The range of materials that can be deposited include metals, alloys, ceramics, plastics, and composites, and can be built up in the thickness range of 20 microns to several mm over a large area and at a high deposition rates. The unique spray facilities available in the group comprise an axial feed capable plasma spray system and a high-velocity air-fuel (HVAF) unit that enable the most appropriate thermal spray route to be adopted depending on the material to be coated. Due to the huge spread of materials that can be sprayed, the coating properties can be tailored to meet the functional requirements of a wide spectrum of applications relevant to gas turbines, diesel engines, bearings, journals, pumps, compressors etc. as well as key components required in oil & gas, steel, pulp & paper industries. The group’s current position as a global leader in TS research is facilitated by the availability of two following spray systems: An axial feed capable atmospheric plasma spray (APS) system, providing the highest thermal energy among all TS variants. A high velocity air fuel (HVAF) spray system, relying on very high kinetic energy to compensate for low temperature processing. Functionalities addressed: For many years, the group’s research focus was oriented towards development of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) primarily for aero-engine and land-based gas turbine applications as well as automotive industry. Over the past few years, the research group has gradually extended its expertise towards other applications such as coatings for environmental barriers, wear resistance and corrosion protection.University West – Thermal Spraying – a vast playground for exciting research and application development (hv.se).