Plasma Transferred Arc
The Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) weld metal overlay process combines the advantages of plasma welding with powdered metal consumables. Powdered alloy is fed into the plasma stream where the high temperature melts the powder as it is deposited on to a surface. The deposition and penetration is controlled by the amount of arc energy and powder feed rate. The high quality weld metal deposit achieved and the range of materials that can be used distinguish this process from any other.
The PTA process allowed us to develop and apply our own metal alloys, metal carbides and inter-metallic materials. This has enabled us to provided metallurgical solutions for mineral processing and refining equipment which is exposed to severe combinations of erosion and corrosion. Ongoing research and development of the process and derived metallurgy enables us to provide state of the art solutions to our clients.
PTA metal overlay is used to produce pump shaft sleeves, shafts, plungers and various valve components. The advantages of PTA are as listed:
- Corrosion and erosion resistant overlays of exceptional quality can be produced on a wide range of substrates.
- Deposition rates as low as 0.3 Kg per hour can be applied to intricate components and up to 25 Kg per hour on heavy components, wear plates and pipes.
- Coatings applied using this process commonly have superior bond strength, mechanical properties and grain structure to those applied by spraying processes.
- With the correct powder and PTA technology component life can be extended well beyond levels currently accepted as normal.