Abstract
High velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) spray experiments were carried out using various spray systems. A comparison is made of the systems introduced as a first and second generation (Jet Kote, Diamond Jet, Top Gun, CDS) with the more recently introduced systems of the third generation (JP 5000, DJ 2600, DJ 2700). The comparison is based on particle velocities and experiments to evaluate the heat transfer to the particles. The results show that the systems of the new generation with a converging-diverging nozzle section can produce up to 50% higher particle velocities. The higher kinetic energy allows to reduce the thermal energy and to reduce thermally activated phase transformations of the coating material during the spray process. Carbide coatings produced with one of the new HVOF systems exhibit a higher density, higher bond strength and higher hardness as compared to coatings produced with one of the systems of the first and second HVOF generation. Furthermore, the reduced thermal energy yields less oxidative loss of carbon and opens the possibility to spray coatings with neutral or compressive internal stresses, a prerequisite to produce carbide coatings up to a thickness of several millimeters.
