Arc spray gun, also known as a twin wire arc spray gun, is a type of thermal spray gun used to apply a coating material onto a surface. The gun uses two electrically charged wires made of the coating material which are fed through a gun and brought together at a small distance, creating an electric arc that melts the wires.
Compressed air or inert gas is then used to atomize the molten metal and propel it onto the surface to be coated. The coatings produced by arc spray guns are typically dense, uniform, and have excellent adhesion to the substrate.
Arc spray guns are commonly used for creating wear-resistant thermal spray coating on industrial parts, as well as for applying corrosion-resistant coatings to steel structures. They can also be used to repair damaged surfaces or to build up worn surfaces.
Arc Spray Gun Working
The arc spray gun transmits two spraying metal wires to the spray gun's two electric mouths, which connect to the high-current and low-voltage two electrodes. When two metal wires come into contact with each other, a short circuit occurs, which can result in an arc, and the metal wire is melted by the 5000°C heat created by the arc. After that, high-velocity compressed air would smash the melted wire into minute particles. These micro particles are then sprayed on the surface of the workpiece by compressed air at supersonic speeds (more than 400m/s) to form a coating. Spray coating has a smaller and more compact microstructure than standard arc spray coating and a greater adhesive force.
The process is often used for applying corrosion-resistant coatings to steel structures, as well as for creating wear-resistant coatings on industrial parts. The coatings produced by arc spray guns are typically dense, uniform, and have excellent adhesion to the substrate. They can also be applied quickly and with minimal distortion to the substrate. Thermal spray wire and thermal spray powder materials are used for thermal spray coating.
Arc spray guns are relatively simple in design and operation, making them easy to use and maintain. They are also versatile and can be used with a wide range of coating materials, including zinc wire, aluminum wire, copper wire, and stainless steel.
Arc Spray Coating
Arc Spray coatings can be applied to almost anything, including metal, wood, polystyrene, plastic, glass, paper, ceramics, and even chocolate (for demonstration reasons only), and can be employed in an infinite number of artistic applications. Arc sprayed coatings also give an ideal surface for any top coating, from painting to thermal spray powder coating in any color! thermal spray powders alike tungsten carbide powder, Ceramic Powder, Cermet Powder, and Molybdenum Powder, etc. While spraying, the Arc Spray technique is noted for its low heat input. Arc spray is excellent for thermally sensitive materials due to the low heating of the substrate. The reduced heat input also reduces the possibility of component distortion. The movie below emphasizes this low heat input by displaying instances that would lose definition, distort, warp, or even melt at high temperatures.
Features of Arc Spray Gun
- Better work configuration flexibility.
- Advanced controls are effective.
- Simple to use and consistent results.
- High power enables rapid spraying of the toughest wires.
- A fixed spray gun coating tip ensures consistent, repeatable coatings.