The successful application of thick, well bonded coatings to composite materials has long been an aspiration in the thermal spray industry. and and recent work in this area by TWI has yielded some exciting results.
An entirely new approach has enabled the application of metallic coatings to thicknesses in excess of one millimetre. Whilst machinable alloy coatings were the focus of early work, carbide and ceramic coatings are also yielding promising results.
Such coatings could provide solutions to engineering challenges being faced in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, power generation (eg wind turbines and wave/tidal energy devices) and architectural applications. The coatings enhance the surface properties of composites to provide greater resistance to wear, corrosion, bio-fouling, or cavitation, as well as providing electrically conductive, decorative or tooling surfaces and thermal management.
TWI is conducting further research targeted at optimising the new technology for specific applications in key industries.
Companies partnering TWI in the development of the technology will benefit from access to TWI's know-how and will be licensed to use TWI's Trade Mark for coatings produced with the new technology.
For more information, please contact us.
