Study of tribological performance of selected thermal sprayed polymers

Thermal spray processes have a broad application in both manufacturing and maintenance. Thermal spray is a group of processes in which metallic and nonmetallic materials, finely divided, are deposited on a prepared substrate forming a sprayed deposit. Many metals, ceramics, intermetallic compounds, some organic and some plastic glasses can be deposited by one or more of the various thermal spray techniques. Nowadays, thermal spray technology is of great importance in the search for engineering solutions to the increasing demands on technical and economic aspects of the industries in general. At the scene of a great variety of options it is fundamental to take into account the economic variables and productivity that often overlap pure technical solution. Thus, the study of deposition methods and material options for the same application becomes extremely relevant and timely. Polymer coatings have great potential to improve the performance of surfaces of light or heavy metals. The main objective of this work was to study the properties of thermal sprayed polymer coatings looking for the possibilities of applying this type of coating for tribological demand. From the obtained results, there is strong evidence that the use of flame sprayed polymer powders, mainly PEEK, with substrate preheating would have a good performance in wear and corrosion applications.