Thermal spraying method and apparatus
AssigneeMetalspray U.S.A., Inc.
InventorMichael Walter Seitz
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Abstract
A thermal spraying method involves the creation of a coating comprising titanium wire in the presence of nitrogen. The apparatus of the invention comprises a nozzle which has a cylindrical throat, with feedstock guides which guide the feedstock wires to a point of intersection in the throat. A current is passed through the wires to cause an arc in the throat, and a nitrogen rich gas under pressure is forced through the throat, generating a spray of molten particles which is used to coat a substrate. In a variation of the method, one of the feedstock wires comprises a binder metal, which produces a coating having enhanced toughness.
Claims19
A method of forming a coating on a substrate comprising the steps of:
- providing a feedstock material containing titanium;
- atomising the feedstock material in the presence of nitrogen;
- and
- spraying the atomised material onto a substrate to form a coating comprising titanium nitride on the substrate.
Thermal spraying apparatus comprising:
- a nozzle defining a throat having an inlet and an outlet;
- at least first and second guides arranged to guide respective feedstock wires via the inlet towards a point of intersection in the throat, so that connection of the wires to a power supply causes an arc in the throat between the wires, creating molten particles which are expelled from the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.