You might think thermal spray coating is hard to understand, but it’s actually pretty simple once you break it down. Here are a few of the questions people often ask us:
If you want to explore it in more detail, specialists such as poeton.co.uk/surface-treatments/thermal-metal-sprays/ give you a clearer picture of how thermal spray coating is applied and where it fits in modern engineering.
What is thermal spray coating?
Thermal spray coating is how we apply a protective layer to a surface using heated material. We spray the coating on in molten or semi-molten form, then it cools quickly to form a solid layer.
What materials can be used?
You can use many different materials. Metals, ceramics and even some composites can all be used depending on what you need – it’s very flexible and that’s one of the main reasons thermal spray coating is used across so many industries.
What is it used for?
Most of the time, it’s about protection. Thermal spray coating helps parts resist wear, corrosion and high temperatures. It’s also used to rebuild worn components, which can save you replacing them entirely.
How is it different from plating?
Unlike plating, thermal spray coating doesn’t rely on chemical processes. Instead, it physically builds up a layer on the surface. That means it can be applied more thickly and to a wider range of materials.
How long does it last?
That depends on how the part is used, but it significantly extends service life. The coating acts as a barrier, taking the wear instead of the base material underneath.