Masking Solutions for Thermal Spray
During thermal spraying, selected areas of a component frequently need to be protected from the coating process.
Specialist masking tapes are applied to these areas before processing, creating a durable barrier capable of resisting heat, abrasion and particle impact.
The objective is to protect the masked area throughout processing while producing a clean and clearly defined coating edge when the tape is removed.
Depending on the tape construction and application, thermal spray masking solutions can be used for:
Designed for Demanding Conditions
Conventional masking materials are generally unsuitable for the temperatures and mechanical forces encountered during thermal spraying.
Specialist thermal spray tapes can incorporate combinations of silicone rubber, fibreglass cloth, aluminium foil and high-temperature silicone adhesive to provide the required level of protection.
Depending on the product selected, key characteristics can include:
Different Tapes for Different Spray Processes
The correct masking material depends significantly on the coating process.
For standard plasma and flame spray applications, silicone rubber-coated glass cloth tapes can provide a good combination of temperature resistance, flexibility and abrasion resistance.
More aggressive processes such as HVOF generate greater heat and particle velocity. These applications can require heavier, multi-layer masking tapes specifically designed to resist abrasion and burn-through.
Foil and glass-cloth constructions can also be used where additional conformability, strength or abrasion resistance is required.
Protecting Complex Components
Many components requiring thermal spray coatings have complex shapes, edges, recesses and areas that must be accurately masked.
The conformability of the masking material is therefore an important consideration. The tape must adhere securely to the component and remain in position during processing without compromising the areas that require coating.
Teastech can advise on the appropriate tape construction based on the component geometry, coating process and degree of protection required.
Clean Removal and Reduced Rework
Effective masking is important not only during the spraying process but also when the masking material is removed.
Specialist silicone adhesive systems are designed to maintain a secure bond during processing while allowing the masking material to be removed cleanly afterwards.
Correct masking can help to:
Slit and Fabricated to Your Requirements
Teastech can complement the specialist tape range with its own slitting and fabrication capabilities.
Materials can be supplied in widths and formats suited to the particular component or production process, helping customers reduce preparation time and simplify masking operations.
Where required, we can advise on both the appropriate masking material and the most practical format in which it should be supplied.
Material Selection and Technical Support
There is no single masking tape suited to every thermal spray process.
The appropriate product will depend on factors including:
Teastech can help customers identify a masking solution appropriate to these operating conditions.