Why Are Thermal Spray Coatings Important For The Marine Industry?
The marine industry offers very uniquely specific challenges when it comes to keeping products, parts, and components running smoothly. This is mainly due to the fact that any equipment involved in the marine industry is going to be subjected to corrosion from both freshwater and saltwater in addition to suffering from normal, everyday wear. In order to combat against corrosion and wear, ceramic powders and tungsten carbide are frequently used in protective coatings. These protective coatings will help to provide a safeguard against the undesirable degradation routinely suffered by marine equipment.
Components
Some of the most common components involved in the thermal spray process are as follows:
- Compressors
- Pumps
- Restoration and shipbuilding
- Tanks
- Trawlers
- Winches
- Piping
Providing Resistance Against Corrosion
In marine applications, an ongoing problem is corrosion. The solution to problems suffered as a result of corrosion boil down to protective coatings of aluminum, zinc, and zinc-aluminum alloys. An environment of saltwater subjects freestanding components to atmospheric conditions which are detrimental to their operation. Corrosion resistance is offered by these protective coatings. When more than one form of component degradation is present, coatings can be combined to offer both corrosion resistant and wear resistant properties.
Providing Resistance Against Wear
Varying compositions of blends of ceramics and tungsten carbides (and other hard materials) provide wear resistance through thermal spray coating processes such as HVOF or plasma spray, among others. Virtually any marine component can be coated with these materials. After coating, the finish can be polished and ground to the specific requirements of the application.
Why Use a Thermal Spray Coating Processes?
Thermal spray applications can be applied to hard face coatings, cermet, ceramic, metal, etc. Besides the marine industry, any number of industries can benefit from this process including but not limited to aerospace, electronics, or defense and military.
The Need for A Reputable Coating Company
Not all coating companies are created equally. For your business, you want a company that is constantly evolving; a coating company that uses highly specialized applications in order to accommodate the needs of their customers. Marine equipment must be protected from the harshest of elements. To assure that protection, the coating company your business chooses should employ the most expert of spray technicians and materials engineers. You must be confident in your choice of coating companies and rest securely in the knowledge that their superiority to other companies will be the difference that separates them from all others.
Thermal coating and spray coating services aren’t the only things that a good company should provide, however. Machining and restoration services are not only useful but necessary to many applications. Extending the life of critical parts or components used in your business through finishing service capabilities, undercutting, lapping, and grinding helps your bottom line. These services can also help to salvage parts that have been mis-machined.
If your business centers around the marine industry and you would like to find out more about thermal spray coatings and how they can benefit your company, please contact us at A&A Coatings. If you have any questions about what you read here or questions about protective coatings and finishes in general, our knowledgeable staff is here to answer those questions and help you in any way possible.
