Gas detonation gun for thermal spraying

High-velocity oxy-fuel and gas detonation are competing spray coating processes well known for providing premium quality coatings with low porosity and high adhesion. They are favored for applications in environments of extreme wear, heat, and aggressive corrosion. Nevertheless, they both have limitations. For the HVOF process, these include excessive gas consumption, high rate of heat transfer to the sprayed substrate, and the short life of the (supersonic) Laval nozzle. On the other hand, the traditional gas detonation gun also has drawbacks, and the purpose of this article is to outline some factors that led to the design of an improved gas detonation coating process called Demeton, produced by Demeton USA Inc., Garden City Park, N.Y.