Thermal Spray Technology Trends for Patent Applications in Japan

Thermal spray technology trends in Japan were studied on the basis of patent information related to such technologies in Japan. Information related to research in and the basic development of thermal spray and allied coating technologies can be found in publication papers or documents submitted to national or international conferences, symposiums academic journals and so on. However, this kind of information does not always disclose key fundamentals pertinent to the industry in question. The present status of thermal spray technology and related future trends in Japan are described in this paper based on an investigating of patent filings, claims, and the specific industrial fields and applications related to such patent applicants.