Cold Coating Vs. Thermal Coating Technologies: How To Choose?
Many business owners wonder what the differences are when it comes to cold coating vs. thermal coating. Both these spraying technologies are advanced and reliable, but there are key differences between them. Cold and thermal coating is used to repair or protect certain metals, electronic components and accessories against damage of all kinds.
If you’re interested in finding out more about spray coating technologies then keep reading this article. You’ll discover the differences between cold and thermal coating as well as their distinct pros and cons and applications.
What is Cold Spray?
Cold spray technology refers to spraying very fine particles or powders at speeds that can reach Mach 3 in some cases. A special type of tool is used to spray these particles on the surface of various electronic components or metals. This is known as cold spraying technology because the fine particles are not heated before they reach the surface of the metal. Once they are sprayed on metals or various electronic components, they adhere to the surface and create a thin film. This layer protects against corrosion, debris, dust, and the elements of nature. Nitrogen or helium are used to spray these fine particles on various materials.
What is Thermal Spray?
Thermal spraying technology, on the other hand, uses slightly larger particles or droplets that are sprayed on metals for protection purposes. The material that is sprayed is molten or semi-molten as a result of an intense heating process. These fine powders are heated up to very high temperatures using electrical or chemical devices. Once they adhere to the surface of a metal or electronic component, they create a strong, protective bond. This prevents debris, corrosion, rainwater or other types of external agents from damaging the materials.
Types of Cold Coating Technologies
There are two types of cold coating technologies. For example, you can take advantage of high-pressure cold spray or low-pressure cold spray. The former technology uses pressures that can reach up to 1,000 psi while the latter technology uses pressures that don’t go beyond 300 psi. Each technology is more suitable for a particular application. High-pressure cold spray is suitable for durable metals and alloys while the low-pressure cold spray is more suitable for soft metals, electronic components, semiconductors and more.
Types of Thermal Coating Technologies
There are many types of thermal coating technologies such as plasma spraying, arc spraying, flame spraying and others. Each of them has its own pros and cons and is more suitable for certain types of industry applications. As a rule of thumb, thermal coating technologies are used to manufacture and repair medical implants, gas turbines, engines and equipment used in the oil field business.At A&A Coatings, we aim to help businesses of all sizes repair and protect vital equipment against common wear and tear as well as the elements of nature. We use a wide variety of coating technologies including cold coating and thermal coating. Contact one of our specialists today to learn more about our services and see which type of coating technology fits your needs the best.
