Thermal Spraying (Metallizing)

Metallizing, the technique of thermal spraying metal, enhances the surface of a substrate, improving its performance, and protecting it against wear, corrosion, or other environmental factors. This technique is suitable for various substrates, such as metal, plastic, concrete, or even fragile materials.

Many industries including aerospace, automotive, marine, oil and gas, and heavy manufacturing need metallizing to improve a component’s performance and lifespan.

The Thermal Spraying Process

The metallizing process heats a coating material (typically in the form of wire or powder) to a molten or semi-molten state to get it ready to spray on the substrate. On impact with the substrate, the material solidifies, forming a coating that adheres tightly to the surface. It provides excellent bonding strength and creates a durable, long-lasting coating.

Metallizing is often a more cost-effective solution than other alternatives such as welding, plating, or complete replacement of a component.

Common Metallizing Materials

The choice of metallizing material depends on what the substrate is, its intended function, and what the coating should accomplish. Different coating materials offer flexibility in thickness, texture, and composition. This allows us to customize the process to meet specific needs such as increased hardness, improved adhesion, or optimized thermal conductivity. 

Metallizing material can include the following:

• Pure Metals: aluminum, zinc, copper, and nickel. These materials offer excellent corrosion resistance, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity. Aluminum’s light weight and resistance to corrosion makes it particularly popular.
• Alloys:  stainless steel, bronze, and nickel- and cobalt-based alloys. These alloys offer a combination of strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance.
• Metallic Composites: tungsten carbide or chromium carbide with metallic binders like nickel and cobalt. These composite materials often have much better hardness and wear resistance than pure metals and alloys.

Rapid Application and Minimal Downtime

Thermal spraying is a relatively quick process. Coated components often can be put back into service very soon after the process is completed. This quick turn-around benefits industries that require minimal interruption to operations. 

Get More Information about Thermal Spraying

If you would like to learn more about our thermal spraying capabilities, please contact CIP at (615) 790-8822 or email us at info@cipaint.com. We are a locally owned and operated. Located in Franklin, TN, just south of Nashville, we serve industrial clients across the South East.