ThinKotes
- Coatings
- Substrates
- Unique Features
- Key Benefits
ThinKotes - Unique Features...
ThinKotes are desired surface 'coatings', which have replaced the substrates native oxide layer, and comprises of a chemically bonded interface with the substrate of the order of 1 - 2 micron linear thickness. Depending on substrate and powder particle characteristics, subsequent like-on-like bonding may add additional thickness - typically a couple of microns in thickness. Due to the material removal influence of the grit, the process is not additive
The surface also benefits from mechanical bonding through the tight packing of voids and folds created by the coincident abrasive particles on the substrate. Hence the actual modified surface thickness, inclusive of the substrates voids and folds can be as high as 15 microns - a feature that is controlled by selective abrasive characteristics.
A key differentiating feature of CoBlast compared to existing coating technologies is the absence of any thermal input, and therefore the potential for thermally induced changes / damage to either the substrate or the 'coating' material, including oxidation. The 'coating' material remains in its solid phase whilst the substrate is influenced momentarily by a temperature increase of only circa 30 degrees - as can be seen in the adjacent thermography video of a CoBlast operation.
Due to their inherent thinness and bonding mechanisms, ThinKotes cannot delaminate, ever. In fact, ThinKotes are more akin to a surface modification rather than a traditional coating, locked into and part of the underlying substrate. Uniquely, the process removes the substrates oxide layer, providing a direct bond pathway to the substrate, rather than the coating sitting above this intermediary oxide layer - a feature of incumbent coating processes.
By virtue of their thinness, fusion surfaces are particularly suited to applications where the substrate topography needs to be preserved i.e. trabecular surfaces on medical implants, fuel cell membranes and micro-screw threads . Unlike conventional thermal spray processes, CoBlast will not fill the topography and thus preserves the substrates engineered topography characteristics.
ThinKotes - Not thick enough ?
Please review EnBios 'PrimerKotes' as a route to chemically bonded plasma & HVOF coatings.