Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating services enable the deposition of inorganic ceramic materials onto another material, typically metal, that is referred to as the substrate. As non-metallic materials, ceramics become extremely hard and durable after undergoing machining, which is the application of extreme heat and subsequent cooling. Typically crystalline in structure, some benefits of ceramic materials include high resistance to corrosive compounds, resistance to friction, and the ability to be used at extreme temperatures.
Quick links to Ceramic Coating Information
Applications of Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coatings are often included under the heading of thermal barrier coatings. Thermal barrier coatings are coatings that are applied to metal substrates for the purpose of protecting those substrates from extreme temperatures. Working as a form of thermal insulation, this type of coating service protects the substrate from both large and prolonged loads of heat by means of sustaining a considerable heat difference between the substrate and the coated surface.
Many applications and industries utilize ceramic coating services, including:
- Automotive
- In which ceramic coatings can be used to reduce heat loss in engine exhaust systems.
- Industrial Manufacturing
- Which uses ceramic coatings for both insulating and heat-resistant properties for various machine and system components.
- Construction
- For the coating of metal structures and other building materials.
Also used for waterproofing, ceramic coatings may be very thick or they may be very thin, depending on the requirement of the application.
Process of Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating is typically accomplished by means of spray application. This means that in order for the ceramic materials to coat the substrate, the material is sprayed over the surface of the substrate and not achieved through either a chemical or electrochemical reaction. However, there are many different ways to spray ceramic coatings on a substrate. For example, for ceramic coatings as thermal barrier coatings, there are four main ways spraying is accomplished: electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD), air plasma spray (APS), electrostatic spray assisted vapor deposition (ESAVD), and direct vapor deposition. Vapor deposition differs from spraying in that it is actually a chemical reaction caused by the deposition of ceramics which forms a thin film of ceramic coating over the substrate through condensation.