Thermal Spray Technology Applications
Amid the roar of factory floors, within the steel and iron of urban infrastructure, and even on the delicate components of medical devices, thermal spray technology is playing a crucial role as an invisible guardian. This process, which transforms materials into specialized coatings, has long transcended the confines of the laboratory and has become a practical solution to addressing pain points across industries.
In the rolling mills of steel mills, the constant friction between hot steel plates and rollers once posed a headache for engineers. Traditional rollers often wore out within a few months, requiring costly replacements and disrupting production. Thermal spray technology has changed this situation. The ceramic alloy coating formed on the roller surface can withstand temperatures exceeding thousands of degrees Celsius while resisting the intense wear of the steel plates, extending the roller's service life several times. This significantly reduces downtime in the workshop due to equipment downtime, reducing the maintenance workload for workers.
Underground water pipes in cities have also benefited from this technology. In the past, long-term exposure to water and impurities caused corrosion and scaling on the inner walls of pipes, which not only affected water delivery efficiency but also created the risk of leaks. Thermal spraying creates a corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant coating on the inner walls of pipes, like a sturdy "protective coat," effectively preventing direct contact between water and the pipe itself. After years of operation, the pipelines remain unobstructed, significantly reducing the frequency of excavation and maintenance, and ensuring a stable and reliable urban water supply.
In the medical field, the application of thermal spraying technology embodies its unique combination of precision and user-friendliness. The surface treatment of artificial joints demands extremely high biocompatibility, requiring them to be compatible with human tissue while also possessing sufficient wear resistance to withstand daily activities. Hydroxyapatite coatings created using thermal spraying technology, with a composition similar to the inorganic components of human bone, promote the growth of bone cells on the surface of artificial joints, achieving "osseointegration." This not only strengthens the implant but also reduces the impact of wear debris on the body, significantly improving patients' quality of life.
From large-scale equipment in heavy industry to medical devices critical to life and health, thermal spray technology, with its unique "coating magic," solves practical problems in diverse scenarios. As the technology continues to advance, we believe it will create unexpected application value in even more fields, continuously bringing convenience and breakthroughs to our daily lives.
