Advanced coatings by novel high-kinetic thermal spray processes

Thermal spraying includes a group of coating processes in which metallic and non-metallic materials are spray deposited as fine particles in a molten or semi-molten condition, or even in fully solid state to form a coating. Thermal spraying allows deposition of relatively thick coatings, from some tens of micrometers up to several millimeters in thickness. Thermally sprayed coatings are used in different applications including protective and functional coatings in mechanical engineering, energy technology, biomedical, steel, automotive and aerospace technologies and in many other industrial sectors. Novel high-kinetic spray processes, e.g., the high velocity air-fuel (HVAF) technology are the latest developments in the area and therefore they are actively studied in the framework of the Hybrid Materials research program in collaboration with Finnish industrial and research partners. Novel multifunctional coatings are under development for specific industrial applications.