EngineeringIndustrial EngineeringManufacturing EngineeringHeat TransferNew Product DevelopmentProduction EngineeringSpraying EquipmentThermal ProcessingThermal SprayingSpray
After three decades of 13% annual growth, the thermal spray industry has encountered turbulent times. The main problem: cutbacks in its major market, aircraft engines. However, an expanding range of industrial applications, increased competition among new processes and suppliers, new technologies, new high-performance thermal spray equipment and consumables, and enhanced economics are expected to put the growth curve back on track. Here, the author starts by giving a brief history of thermal spraying. Then he discusses some of the challenges facing the industry. He ends by listing the many applications of the thermal spray process.