As metal spray/thermal spray coatings are typically pure metallics with no binders, they are very well suited to applications in the electrical and electronic industry. Conductive alloys such as copper, zinc, tin-zinc, babbitt and Aluminium can be tailored to control electrical and thermal qualities to increase conductivity or shield electronics from electromagnetic impulses.
Electrical applications include the creation of conductive surfaces or solderable connections on resistors, carbon brushes, discharge electrodes and earthing conductors on railway carriage axles. It is used for EMC and static discharge screening on paper conveyors. Its softness makes it useful for surfacing printing rollers etc.
Metal spray deposits are used extensively in the Electrical Industry for applications including electrically conductive coatings and resistance type heating circuits. As well as conductivity, thermal sprayed ceramic coatings can be used for their electrical insulation properties. Ceramics such as alumina can be applied by plasma spraying or powder flame spraying to create a non-conductive layer.
