RFI Screening Limited, specialist surface treatment engineers, has opted for Metallisation MK61 flame spray equipment to metal spray a 40 tonne generator rotor with fine silver.
The generator rotor, which is a combination of electrical, mechanical and manufacturing components, is regularly exposed to hard mechanical stress and high temperatures, while being subjected to electrical voltage and current. Over time this stress can lead to breakdown, costly repair and maintenance and possibly inconvenient downtime. To maximise the lifetime of of the generator rotor, RFI Screening was contracted to metal spray it, using the flame spray equipment.
Prior to metal spraying the generator rotor, the surface was grit blasted, to Standard SA 2.5, to clean and prepare the shaft. The shaft was also pre-heated by induction to prevent coating shrinkage issues and enhance the adhesion of the metal spray. The generator rotor was then sprayed with a 25 micron coating of Molybdenum, which is a bonding material, to optimise the adhesion of the top coat of silver. A final coating of silver was then added to achieve the specified outside diameter on the shaft. Silver is chosen due to its high levels of conductivity compared to other materials such as steel and even copper. In a typical application, a coating 250 microns thick of silver would be sprayed.
The flame spray system was chosen instead of arc spray due to the higher efficiency that can be achieved with a more controllable application process. The flame spray system with small diameter wire will also produce a fine, close structured coating that will maximise the conductivity of the applied silver, which is the main purpose of the coating.
The Metallisation MK61 is an oxygen-acetylene fuelled flame spray system, primarily for spraying engineering coatings of steels, bronzes, copper and molybdenum. The lightweight, robust pistol offers the possibility to reclaim damaged parts for small to medium sized applications, as it has a continuous nozzle set up, ideal for engineering coatings. Molybdenum can also be sprayed with the MK61 as a soft bond coat through to a very hard, wear resistant coating.
The MK61 is also ideal for use with RFI Screening’s mobile metal spraying unit, as, although the pistol is lightweight, it is robust, sturdy and well balanced making it very easy to handle. Requiring only gases and compressed air, it also lends itself to site applications where 3 phase electricity may not be available. It comes with a variety of hose lengths to suit a wide range of applications where difficult access may be an issue.
RFI Screening was established in 1982. At its industrial site in Ware in Hertfordshire UK it has five blast rooms, five cabinets to cover most blasting processes, as well as its mobile blasting and metal spraying unit. RFI Screening’s expertise in applying surface treatments to a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous substrates has resulted in the company doing projects overseas, as well as in the UK. The most recent metal spraying job was completed in Saudi Arabia on a Saudi Naval vessel.
Steve Noble, Owner of RFI Screening, says: “We choose Metallisation equipment because the company is very customer focused and were very professional in their dealings with us. We were also thrilled with the quality of the service and speed of delivery of the equipment. The equipment is reliable, easy to use and complements our services perfectly. I would happily recommend Metallisation to any company looking for good quality equipment and excellent knowledge and understanding of metal spraying.”
Metallisation provides metal spraying equipment, consumables and expert advice to industries around the world and has been doing so since 1922. Its equipment has been designed for a wide range of uses, from universal corrosion protection of steel fabrications, to engineering coating applications, such as the one described in this feature. Engineering applications include work within the automotive, aerospace, oil and gas and manufacturing industries.
For more information on Metal Spray equipment or consumables, call us on 07 3823 1004 or email using our contact form.
