INFRASTRUCTURE RESEARCH PROGRAM
THERMAL SPRAY PROCESSING OF POLYMERS
Advantages in Thermal Spray Processing
Polymer spraying is a one-coat process which acts as both the primer and the sealer, with no additional cure times unlike the traditional three-coat painting processes. Thermal spraying is ideally suited for large structures/components which otherwise could not be dipped in a polymer melt. Unlike electrostatic powder coatings, non-conductive components can be coated (plastic, fiberglass) and unlike fluidized bed powder coatings, heat sensitive materials (cardboard) can be sprayed with a plastic coating. Thermoplastic coatings can be repaired by simply re-melting or applying additional material to the desired location. In addition, reports have shown that polymers such as ethylene methacrylic acid copolymer (EMA) can be applied in high humidity as well as in temperatures below freezing. Applications of polymer coatings include structural steel coatings, external pipe coatings, transfer chutes, light poles, and garbage containment, where the intrinsic properties of polymers such as high chemical resistance and high impact resistance are used to advantage.
last updated 03/15/96 by Dr. J. Karthikeyan
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