Abstract:
A high velocity, oxygen fuel ("HVOF") thermal spray gun for spraying a melted powder composition of, for example, thermoplastic componds, thermoplastic/metallic composites, or thermoplastic/ceramic composites onto a substrate to form a coating thereon. The gun includes an HVOF flame generator for providing an HVOF gas stream to a fluid cooled nozzle. A portion of the gas stream is diverted for preheating the powder, with the preheated powder being injected into the main gas stream at a downstream location within the nozzle. Forced air and vacuum sources are provided in a shroud circumscribing the nozzle for cooling the melted powder in flight before deposition onto the substrate.
Abstract:
A flame spray coating system includes a thermoplastic resin powder supply hopper, an eductor adapted to entrain powder in a stream of conveying air, a valve disposed between the powder hopper and eductor for controlling the flow of powder from the hopper into the eductor, a flame spray gun and conduits interconnected between the flame spray gun and pressurized air and combustion gas sources for delivering flows of propelling air, conveying air, powder entrained in conveying air, and a combustible gas to the flame spray gun, and an eductor control disposed on the flame spray gun for controlling operation of the valve disposed between the powder hopper and eductor. A solid circular coating pattern is created with a nozzle constructed for twirling the entrained powder and conveying air. Interchangeable combustion nozzles of different sizes allow the same spray gun to be used for different substrate conditions.
Abstract:
A feed system for flame spray guns is provided that comprises a hopper with a powder storage chamber, a pressurized gas source separated from the powder storage chamber by a gas distributor board, at least one flow line providing fluid communication for the pressurized air and entrained powder between the storage chamber and a flame spray gun, a powder outlet valve on each flow line for controlling the flow of pressurized gas and entrained powder from the storage chamber into the flow line, and a purge line delivering pressurized gas to the flow line downstream of the powder outlet valve for clearing powder from the flow line after the valve is closed.
Abstract:
Improved plastic flame spray coating apparatus and methodology are disclosed. An inert gas is configured to shroud or envelop the pneumatically-conveyed stream of powdered plastic which is carried through the combustion flame. The polyolefin coating has increased adhesion and coating smoothness and thicker coatings without thermally-induced embrittlement, discoloration and poor mechanical properties are obtained.
Abstract:
A method of forming a composite material by flame spraying. A composite thermal spray coating is formed by heating and accelerating a particulate material with a thermal spray gun and atomizing a molten metal to produce a combined, high-velocity stream containing both the heated particulate material and the atomized molten metal. The spray stream is directed to a substrate on which the composite coating is formed by a deposition of the materials.
Abstract:
A method is provided for flame-spraying powdered materials onto a substrate by means of an autogenous flame-spraying apparatus of the type in which a combustion gas-oxidation gas mixture is produced and ignited at the outlet of a burner nozzle with the powdered material conveyed by a carrier gas to the burner nozzle and introduced in the flame at the outlet of the burner nozzle. The working parameters of the flame-spraying apparatus are chosen so as to provide an energy constant P.sub.E which together with the kinetic energy E.sub.k of the particles enables the use of a broad range of flame speeds.
Abstract:
An improved, environmentally safe protective coating for marine surfaces is provided which is specially formulated for application to boat hulls for resisting marine growth thereon while minimizing release of toxic antifoulants into the environment. The coatings of the invention can therefore be used on boat hulls for preventing marine growth without the severe pollution effects associated with conventional antifoulant paints. The coatings are preferably made from powdered mixtures which include respective quantities of Nylon 11, an inorganic porous carrier such as carbon black, and an antifoulant such as tributyltin fluoride. Application of the mixture to marine surfaces involves providing a supersonic gas stream, passing the gas stream through an electric arc thereby heating the gas stream and converting a portion thereof to plasma, injecting a quantity of the powdered mixture into the heated gas stream substantially downstream from the arc so as to melt the powder without overheating it, and then spraying the melted mixture onto a surface whereupon it cools and provides a bonded protective coating thereon.
Abstract:
In an open-atmosphere flame spray gun system for spraying molten particulate material and a method of spray application, an improved eductor mechanism and flame spray gun permits a greater quantity of particulate material to be delivered to the article to be coated. The particulate material entrained in a stream of pressurized conveying air, a stream of pressurized burn/propelling air and a stream of fuel gas are delivered through a plurality of passageways extending through the gun body to a combustion chamber for mixing and ignition. The streams are delivered in concentric annular relationship to the combustion chamber, with the stream of particulate material and conveying air and concentric annular stream of burn/propelling air being directed into the combustion chamber in an outwardly expanding conically-shaped axial cross-section for enhancing the diameter and length of the flame produced by the gun and permitting an increased quantity of particulate material to be melted and delivered for coating.
Abstract:
A method of and apparatus for producing a dense and tenacious coating with a thermal spray gun including a nozzle member and a gas cap. The gas cap extends from the nozzle and has an inwardly facing cylindrical wall defining a combustion chamber with an open end and an opposite end bounded by the nozzle. An annular flow of a combustible mixture is injected at a pressure of at least two bar above atmospheric pressure from the nozzle coaxially into the combustion chamber. An annular outer flow of pressurized air is injected from the nozzle adjacent to the cylindrical wall. Heat fusible powder entrained in a carrier gas is fed axially from the nozzle into the combustion chamber. An annular inner flow of pressurized air is injected from the nozzle into the combustion chamber coaxially between the combustible mixture and the powder-carrier gas. Upon combusting the annular mixture a supersonic spray stream containing the powder is propelled through the open end to produce a coating. A second gas cap with a different size open end may be selected to effect a different size spray stream.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method of, and apparatus for, flame spraying particulate material utilizing the thermal energy of a very hot gaseous primary stream produced in an oxy-fuel combustion chamber combined with kinetic energy from a surrounding annular sheath of warm high velocity secondary air.