Thermal Spray Dust Collection

Thermal spray is a coating process that heats or melts material and sprays it onto the surface to be coated. Thermal spray dust collection must be designed for the type of coating material and the thermal spray process being used. Thermal spraying of heated material can result in very fine particles.

Thermal spray dust collection is a special application. Thermal spraying applications provide protection from corrosion and environmental damage. It can create parts resistant to wear, abrasion, and high temperatures. Thermal spray also works to repair damaged or corroded surfaces.

Types of thermal spray processes include:

  • Plasma thermal spraying
  • Vacuum thermal spraying
  • Wire arc thermal spraying
  • Plasma transferred wire arc spraying (PTWA)
  • High velocity oxygen fuel thermal spraying (HVOF)
  • Gas dynamic cold spraying
  • Warm thermal spraying

By changing the temperature and process of thermal spraying, many different materials can be coated. Even combustible materials can be coated. Thermal spray dust collection is important at all steps in the process. The material used as the coating typically comes in powder form, especially with plasma and wire arc spraying. The process itself also creates particles below one micron in size, which are sprayed into the air.

Possible Equipment

Thermal spray dust collection deals with many different materials. Metals and alloys, plastics, and ceramic are all used. Molten when sprayed, these materials quickly solidify into small particles. Metal coatings often contain materials unsafe to inhale, such as nickel and aluminum. Some chemical reactions during the process create harmful fumes.

Thermal spray can put a heavy load on a dust collection system. The process generates large amounts of dust and fumes. Depending on the material, this dust can also be combustible. A thermal spray dust collection system must be designed with all necessary OSHA and NFPA safety features.