Company Announcement - Thermal spray and plasma coating specialist, Thermaspray, together with German partner, Diamant Metallplastic, proudly introduces a new range of coatings and treatments specifically developed for the foundry industry. Scrap can be the most expensive part of a production process and is caused by numerous factors including porosity, blow holes, surface defects, metal fatigue, erosion and corrosion. The new Diamant polymeric metal product solutions available from Thermaspray restore the original function of castings which significantly reduces scrap and leads to substantial cost savings.

Thermaspray’s strategic partnership with specialist polymeric metal systems supplier, Diamant Metallplastic GmbH, was forged in June 2014. “Thermaspray is a specialist in the supply and application of a range of high technology coatings and the Diamant range fits in very well with our current offerings,” comments Dr. Jan Lourens, Managing Director - Thermaspray.

The outstanding properties of the Diamant polymeric coating products meet the extreme conditions in the foundry environment head on with solutions that range from the sealing of porosity and the repair of blow holes to the aesthetic correction of surface defects. “Our Diamant product range also includes coatings for protection against thermal, abrasive and chemical wear, which are leading causes of corrosion and metal fatigue,” adds Dr. Lourens.

Porosity in castings is one of the major causes of parts having to be scrapped. Dichtol is a proven capillary-active impregnation polymer from Diamant that has been specially formulated to address the needs of the foundry industry.

Dichtol’s excellent capillary action ensures that the polymer immediately impregnates thermal spray coatings, penetrating deeply (up to 20mm) into the casting, reliably sealing micro-pores and cracks and protecting the metallic surfaces of even the most complex structures against corrosion. The capillary sealer is able to impregnate form-locking and restore pressure tightness of    castings. The capability of Dichtol to enhance the surface and varnish properties of castings with a perfect, transparent and invisible finish makes the application of this Diamant coating ideal for the repair of blowholes (contraction cavities) and surface defects. Furthermore, Dichtol is gentle to castings and presents a proven alternative to complex restricted welding.

The highly flexible Diamant coating systems are extremely resistant to abrasive wear, chemical wear (oils fuels, acids, etc.) as well as thermal degradation and wear (up to 1600°C). Dr. Lourens adds that the polymer can permanently resist temperatures of up to 500°C and is heat resistant to 250°C after approximately only one hour after application.

The versatile, ready-for-use Diamant polymeric protective and repair coatings from Thermaspray offer numerous cost and time saving benefits to the production process. The easy application of the products onto a porous surface through dipping, brushing, injecting or spraying makes them ideal for on-the-spot repairs and eliminates the need for high investment costs such as an in-house vacuum impregnating line.

Convenient in-house application also means short lead times, low maintenance and reduced downtime. “In short, the application of Dichtol will minimise costs and increase production profitability by extending the life and machinability of thermal coatings resulting in a significant increase in the lifetime of equipment and plants,” concludes Dr. Lourens.

In addition to the foundry industry, other markets that will benefit from the cost saving advantages offered by Dichtol capillary sealer include the pulp & paper, printing & packaging, power generation as well as the pump and automotive industries.

Thermaspray was established in 1998 following the commercialisation of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Thermaspray and Repair Group. From its Olifantsfontein, Johannesburg headquarters, the company offers a full range of wear- and corrosion-resistant thermal spray coatings, plasma coatings, Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA) cladding and a host of specialised allied services to OEM customers and end-users throughout South Africa. In addition to providing a comprehensive range of support coating finishing technologies including machining, grinding and burnishing, the company also refurbishes industrial components damaged by friction, erosion, corrosion or cavitation. Thermaspray works closely with customers to identify problems and recommend the best product solutions which can be implemented at Thermaspray or onsite at customers’ premises.             

As an ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management and Eskom Level 1 certified company, Thermaspray’s superior quality work standards complement the world-class quality of the German manufactured Diamant product range