Fix Any Coating Problem

Your equipment is failing. Productivity is down. And your engineering team grows nervous. It's the fault of the coating, right?

Before you answer or reach for plumber's tape, consider the following three interrelated properties for your own machine design.

A.) Mechanical B.) Corrosive C.) Thermal

Pick any two. Then add the third. Because, most likely, all three play a role in your "system". Your functional requirements are more demanding than expected. Properties of your current coating simply do not match.

Will you use your new "toolbox of three" to fix the coating problem?

Start by questioning the parent (substrate) material. Does it meet your desired mechanical properties? Failure may be the cause of higher environmental temperatures. Or the result of applied heat during the coating process. Either way, imposed stresses with your substrate can be affected. Not to mention loss in dimensional or geometric stability.

Don't forget surface roughness. Your optimum finish should promote adhesion, not interaction.

Is your condition too abrasive? Hard coatings can be ideal, once toughness is understood. For example, adding stiff layering through heat treat, nitrides or carbon implantation, may be ideal. Just take note of your dynamic load and speed.

What about corrosion? Are higher temperatures involved? Do you see oxidation products? Is it loss of mechanical property, alone? Minimizing surface porosity can be vital.

So, how about that new coating? Have you found a better choice? Remember to consider its mechanical, corrosive, and thermal properties. Is each compatible with both your substrate and environment?

Your new "tool box of three" will fix any coating problem. No plumber's tape needed. We promise.