Castolin Eutectic Releases Thermal Spraying System XupersoniClad

Protective coatings manufacturer, Castolin Eutectic, recently introduced a new thermal supersonic spraying device, XupersoniClad. According to the company, this new device will be offered in Europe and promises significant advances in the protection of structures, vessels, and components from erosion, abrasion, and wear. 
 
The company states XupersoniClad applies abrasion-resistant wear coatings in forms like carbide, metal, and metal alloy powders benefiting brick, recycling, concrete, and tile production industries, as well as vessel and boiler interiors. One significant application is in mitigating the damaging effects of cavitation on liquid pumps, control valves, propellers, and impellers. 
 
This device provides an effective solution for new-generation high entropy alloy (HEA) coatings, combining five or more elements to outperform traditional materials in both high-temperature and room scenarios. It was also developed from the high-velocity air-fuel (HVAF) process.
 
The XupersoniClad features a range of coating thicknesses with minimal heat input into the substrate, low deformation, and a smooth, ductile finish to create a dense, consistent microstructure. It can apply coatings to the internal diameter of piper down to 80 mm and has the capacity to apply thin layers while maintaining high bond strength and resistance to stress-induced delamination. 
 
With the integration of grit blasting, the XupersoniClad prepares the surface prior to spraying which contains a warm spry process operating at lower temperatures and higher particle velocity, making it suitable for almost all common thermal spry materials. This “hot grit” blasting is more efficient than previous high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOC) processes and is more focused, faster, and energy efficient than traditional surface preparation methods. 
 
This device allows the application of various coatings, such as alloys, nickel, carbide coatings and low melting point metal spraying for waste-to-energy, chemical, and biomass plants, as sectors requiring corrosion protection, increased resistance to surface abrasion, and friction coefficient improvement. 
 
Reportedly the XupersoniClad protects against cavitation, providing a dense, well-bonded, ductile protective coating that can withstand the shock wave that typically damage hard coatings. 
 
Case studies with cyclones, concrete molds, steel industry fume ducts, and cooler plates in cement factories showcased XupersoniClad’s potential to revolutionize protection in these key areas.
 
Castolin Eutectic has upgraded its facility in Belgium in preparation to deliver XupersoniClad across Europe.