Stainless steel is a metallic alloy with at least 11% chromium content. Western Machine Works’ stainless-steel coating consists of 13% chromium and .35% carbon. See the grid below for the full material composition details. The significant chromium content protects the surface material by forming a passive layer of chromium oxide with superior properties, immune to most oxidation attacks. Applications that stainless steel coating is good for include shafts, cylinder linkers, crankshaft bearings, and most moving parts.
Thermal sprayed stainless-steel coatings are cost-efficient and corrosion resistant, making them suitable all-purpose choice for applications in heavy machinery, rotating components, and structural components that are exposed to the elements.
When Stainless Steel Coatings are the Right Choice
Stainless steel coatings are recommended whenever a durable hard coating is necessary, even if corrosion resistance is not required. This alloy is strong, has high elongation, and low shrinkage. There is also next to no tendency to crack on shafts, impellers, or rotors.
This alloy has wear resistance properties, uniform hardness, and low porosity. Stainless steel has a high bonding strength when applied via thermal spray. The life of components is extended by stainless steel coatings, reducing maintenance and costly downtime. Stainless steel coatings are very durable and resistant to corrosion from wear and tear, cavitation, fretting, and damage from abrasion.
Common Applications for Stainless Steel Coatings
- Main shafts
- Turbines
- Rotors
- Impellers
- Machine rolls
- Rotating components
How Stainless Steel Coatings Are Applied
Stainless steel thermal spray coatings are commonly applied using twin arc spraying. In this process, a pair of stainless steel (or other metallic) wires are fed through an electric arc. The metallic alloy is melted, atomized, and sprayed by compressed air onto the target substrate. As the stainless-steel spray cools, it solidifies on the component surface and forms a dense, durable protective coating that is resistant to corrosion and wear.
Advantages of Stainless Steel Coatings
- High strength coating
- Low shrinkage
- High elongation
- Crack resistant on shafts
- Corrosion resistance
- Oxidation resistance
- Low porosity
- Superior and uniform hardness
- Excellent durability
- Superior bonding strength of thermal sprayed coating
Technical Specifications
Material Composition: 13% Chromium, .5% Silicon,.5% Nickel, .5% Manganese,.35% Carbon, Balance Iron.
Melting Point: 2600 °F
Manufacturer product description: High chrome stainless steel, excellent wearing qualities, fair corrosion resistance, best all-purpose material for machine element work.
Hardness: Rc 40-43
Bond Strength: 4000 – 6000 PSI
Density: 85 – 95 % Wrought material
Thickness Limitation: .100”
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Stainless Steel Thermal Spray Coatings
Our twin wire arc spray process uses a 420 Stainless Steel coating material that is resistant to corrosion and erosion. This coating also performs well under pressure. Stainless steel coatings have a high bond strength, hardness, low porosity, and high coating integrity. This makes it ideal for hydropower, marine, wind power, aerospace and heavy equipment applications. View technical sheet.
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