APS

Versatile thermal spray process for the highest quality, reliability and durability.
During atmosphere plasma spraying DC voltage generate an arc between anode and cathode in a plasma torch. While the gas or a mixture of gas is flowing through the plasma torch, the arc ionized the plasma gas.
Dissociation, or subsequent ionization, produces a highly heated (16000 K), electrically conducting gas of positive ions and electrons.
In the generated plasma jet, which usually works with supersonic speed, powder (usual particle distribution: 5-120 microns) is injected. The high plasma temperature melts the spray powder.
The plasma jet pulls the powder particles and dashes them onto the substrate.
The gas molecules return after a short time back to a stable state. Thereby the plasma temperature drops after a short distance from the plasma torch again.
This extra energy is transferred to the powder particles.

Process Fundamentals:

Process characteristics:

• The plasma spray process produces enough energy to melt every material and thus offers a very high flexibility.
• Plasma spray coatings can be very good controlled at their properties as thickness, porosity, roughness and hardness.

Typical Applications:

Thermal Barriers:         combustion chambers, turbine blades, automotive

Wear protection:          Hydropower, bearing, paper and textile industry

Hi-tec coatings :          Orthopedic implants