---

This book offers a thorough discussion of thermal spray technology. This is a group of processes in which finely divided metallic or nonmetallic materials are deposited in a molten or semi-molten state on a prepared surface.

---

Thermal spray describes a group of processes in which finely divided metallic or nonmetallic materials are deposited in a molten or semi-molten state on a prepared surface. The heat source is a combustion flame, a plasma jet, an r.f. inductively coupled discharge, or an arc struck between two consumable wires. Historically a surfacing technology, thermal spray has moved from a coating to a material processing technology.
Thermal Spray Processes have seen a steady growth in the number of industrial applications and is now used on a daily basis. Some of the most typical applications include:
Environmental and thermal barrier coatings for the protection of gas turbine components.
Coatings on medical implants promoting bone growth while providing biocompatible surfaces.
Wear and/or corrosion resistant coatings on engineering structures or automobiles and heavy duty mining machinery.
The aerospace and power generation industries are now dependent on thermal spray technology.

---

Overview of thermal spray.- Basic concepts of combustion and thermal plasma.- Flame or plasma - partivcle interactions.- Combustion spraying systems.- Cold spray.- D.C. plasma spraying.- R.F. induction plasma spraying.- Wire arc spraying.- Plasma transferred arc depositon (PTA).- Nano- or finely-structured coatings.- Conventional deposit formation.- Surface preparation.- Process diagnostics and on-line control.- Coating characterizations.- Powder, wire and rods production and characteristics.- Process integration.- Industrial applications of thermal spraying technology.

---

Pierre L. Fauchais is Professor Emeritus at the University of Limoges. Joachim V.R. Heberlein is Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota. Maher I. Boulos is Professor Emeritus at the University of Sherbrooke and President and CEO Tekna Plasma System Inc. All three authors are part of the Thermal Spray Hall of Fame.

---