Cost-Effective Universal Flame Spray System
Cost-effective universal flame spray system successfully applies high performance VICOTE® Coatings to metal substrates
Victrex plc., a leading manufacturer of high performance materials, today announced the development of a new, cost-effective flame spray process for applying its VICOTE® Coatings to various metal and ceramic substrates. Historically, thermal (flame) spray technology has been limited to the application of metal alloys, cermets and some low performance polymers to form a protective coating on the substrate, but all of these coatings have performance limitations despite continued research to develop the process for high performance polymers, this new technique is the first to successfully flame spray a VICTREX® PEEK(TM) polymer-based coating onto a metal substrate. The result is a tough, durable, high temperature and chemically resistant coating.
Victrex worked closely with the Alamo Supply Co. Ltd., of Houston, Texas, USA who designed the PG550(TM) Universal Flame Spray System providing cost effective entry into Thermal Spraying. Easy to use and set up, the equipment features a unique gun nozzle that allows the sprayed polymer to form a continuous coating. "A stream of VICOTE powder coating passes through the gun and is heated to a temperature where the powder melts and is deposited at high velocity as "splats" on the surface of the substrate," explained John Robinson, Coatings Technology Leader, Victrex plc. "These splats overlap as the gun is traversed across the substrate to form a tough durable high performance coating. The crystalline structure of the VICOTE Coating is what gives it its exceptional high wear, abrasion, erosion, scratch and corrosion resistance especially at high temperatures."
One of the major advantages of flame spraying with VICOTE Coatings is that it creates a high performance coating on parts that would be difficult or costly to coat by other means. "The process itself is very energy efficient," explained, Robinson. "For example, no oven is required to cure the coatings although for thick coatings on solid shafts a stress relieving cycle may be needed. No electricity is used to power the equipment - just compressed gas." Flame spraying, which can also be applied to thermally sensitive substrates, is ideal for coating pump impellers and pump housings. "Most geometries can be flame sprayed," added Robinson. "These include fairly complex parts due to the absence of the Faraday Cage effect found when coating using the traditional electrostatic powder coating process."
Flame spraying with VICOTE Coatings can help to provide enhanced wear, heat, erosion, abrasion, and corrosion resistance on metal substrates for OEMs, designers, fabricators and coaters - resulting in longer life, improved performance and functionality of the coated parts, and in reducing overall systems costs for OEMs. Flame spraying with VICOTE Coatings can also be used for the repair and upgrading of in-service equipment. "The process also has a number of advantages for the rebuild or repair of parts," explained Robinson. "Refurbishing a worn surface by flame spraying with VICOTE Coatings can be more financially attractive than a complete replacement part and offers an alternative high performance coating to traditional flame sprayed powdered metals.
For more information, please call (800) VICTREX or visit the VICOTE Coatings website at www.vicote.com.
About Victrex
Headquartered in the UK, Victrex plc is an innovative leading manufacturer of high performance materials, including VICTREX® PEEK(TM) polymer, VICOTE® Coatings and APTIV(TM) film. These materials are used in a variety of markets and offer an exceptional combination of properties to help processors and end users reach new levels of cost savings, quality, and performance. All Victrex material production comes under Victrex's ISO 9001 quality registration.
VICTREX® is a registered trademark of Victrex Manufacturing Limited. PEEK(TM), PEEK-HT(TM) and APTIV(TM) are trademarks of Victrex plc. VICOTE® is a registered trademark of Victrex plc.
About Alamo Supply Co.
Alamo Supply Co., LTD. and its predecessor, Alamo Supply Company, Inc. has 40+ years of experience in the thermal spray industry, including machines, supplies, and processes. During the last 18 years the emphasis has been on marketing the ASC PG-550 Thermal Spray System together with supplies to selected customers. For more information visit www.alamosupplycompany.com.
