Explosion Spraying of Coatings on Molds
Explosion sprays coatings on molds is a specialized practice that has become increasingly important in many industries, particularly in the automotive and aerospace industries. It is a process whereby atomized particles are accelerated by a shock wave generated by a detonation within a confined chamber. Highly efficient and cost effective, this process yields coatings with superior mechanical properties and outstanding adhesion that are difficult to achieve using conventional spray coatings.
Explosion coating is a form of thermally sprayed coating, which uses a carefully controlled explosive energy source to deposit powder onto substrates. The process involves introducing a particulate powder into a confined area with an oxygen-rich environment and then detonating a high explosives material. The resulting microsecond shock wave accelerates the powder to a high velocity, and upon contact with the substrate, forms a very strong bond.
Explosion spraying provides many advantages for mold fabrication. In comparison to conventional spraying techniques, it provides much higher coating velocity, depth of penetration and adhesive strength. The layers produced by this process are highly wear and abrasion-resistant, making them ideal for use on mold surfaces. Additionally, the high level of heat generated during the process helps to fuse and densify the coating layers, which improves surface finish and offers superior protection against corrosion and wear.
The unique properties of explosion sprayed coatings are advantageous for mold-making processes. As the velocity of the particles is extremely high, they penetrate well into the crevices of a mold, providing excellent protection against erosion and adhesion. Highly dense layers are also produced, allowing for superior tool-life and better product finish. Moreover, the layers formed by this process have very good mechanical properties, making them much more resistant to high temperatures, thermal stress, and impact damage.
In order to get the best results from explosion coating, it is important to use the correct explosives and parameters, and to follow strict safety protocols when operating the equipment. Additionally, the operator must choose a coating material that is suitable for the specific application, as failure to do so could damage the mold or adversely affect the coatings performance.
Explosion spraying of coatings on molds is a highly efficient and cost effective method of applying protective coatings to molds. The process is capable of producing very dense, wear-resistant layers with excellent adhesion, mechanical properties and surface finish. For these reasons, it is often the process of choice for mold fabrication, particularly in industries such as automotive and aerospace.
