Abstract
The use of thermal spraying processes as an alternative to industrial chromium plating has significantly increased in the past years. Advanced processes, such as APS and HVOF, have proven their efficiency with thick coating in chromium plating replacement, with cost advantage for coatings thicker than 5/10 mm. This article is the synthesis of different trials made with plasma and HVOF coatings. It includes the selection of materials for trial; a description of trial's equipment; friction and wear results; properties and metallography; and the cost comparison of plasma spraying and HVOF with other processes. It has been shown that thermal spray coatings, both APS and HVOF, can be used as chromium plating alternatives, with advantages in terms of wear resistance.
