Bodycote K-Tech ceramicsĀ are a unique range of high quality thermochemicallyĀ formed ceramic coatingsĀ for the prevention of corrosionĀ and wear in a wide variety of industrial applications. They can be applied to most ferrousĀ and some non-ferrousĀ metals and are fundamentally different to all other techniques for depositing ceramics.
What distinguishes Bodycote K-Tech technology from almost all other deposition techniques for ceramics, carbidesĀ and metals is their unique corrosionĀ barrier performance. All other techniques e.g. HVOF, plasma, airpsray, thermospray and electroplating result in coatings with inherent porosity. Micro-cracking can, and will,Ā allowĀ corrosionĀ products to penetrate the coating, corrode the substrate at the interface and result in de-bonding and spalling of the coating. Even stainless steel substrates are not immune as the passive layer that provides the stainless properties can be interrupted during the coating process and not allowed to reform as it would in atmosphere.
The K-Tech range produces coatings that are chemically, not mechanically, bonded and have absolutely dense, pore-free corrosionĀ barriers. They have a wide operating temperature capability – from cryogenicĀ pump applications to gas turbine compressors. Due to the application process, geometries such as internal bores can be coated effectively. K-Tech coatings exhibit extreme hardness which significantly improves the life of mechanical components. They have a smooth, low friction surface and are anti-galling.
The K-Tech ceramicĀ densificationĀ process significantly improves the corrosionĀ resistance of other coatings. A compositeĀ ceramicĀ material is thermochemicallyĀ bonded to customer-specified areas on a part, including OD’s and ID’s and some out-of-sight holes and ports. Individual ceramicĀ particles are sub-micron in size and consist of mixtures of selected ceramicĀ materials bonded together and to the substrate. Porous after the initial formation of the ceramic, the K-Tech application is densified using ceramicĀ precursor chemicals plus corrosionĀ resisting chemicals. When thermochemicallyĀ converted into ceramicĀ and corrosionĀ protection in situ, theĀ densificationĀ processes form additional bonds and mass within the initial ceramicĀ body. Each densificationĀ cycle fills some of the remaining porosityĀ until a fully dense, non porous, corrosion-resistant ceramic coatingĀ has been created.
The K-Tech coating develops a bond into the substrate through the formation of a spinel-like interface between the ceramic coatingĀ and the metal surface. Part of the thermochemical reaction causes the substrate metal atoms to migrate into the ceramic coatingĀ during initial processing resulting in an extremely high bond strength to the substrate, in excess of 10,000 psi.
The unique combination of particle hardness, chemical bonding, and lack of porosityĀ results in a coating which is unparalleled in wear resistance in corrosive environments. This has been proven in the field by the use of K-Tech coatings in downhole applications, resulting in life expectancies of components now being measured in years instead of days and weeks.
Bodycote K-Tech ceramicsĀ are a unique range of high quality thermochemicallyĀ formed ceramic coatingsĀ for the prevention of corrosionĀ and wear in a wide variety of industrial applications. They can be applied to most ferrousĀ and some non-ferrousĀ metals and are fundamentally different to all other techniques for depositing ceramics.
What distinguishes Bodycote K-Tech technology from almost all other deposition techniques for ceramics, carbidesĀ and metals is their unique corrosionĀ barrier performance. All other techniques e.g. HVOF, plasma, airpsray, thermospray and electroplating result in coatings with inherent porosity. Micro-cracking can, and will,Ā allowĀ corrosionĀ products to penetrate the coating, corrode the substrate at the interface and result in de-bonding and spalling of the coating. Even stainless steel substrates are not immune as the passive layer that provides the stainless properties can be interrupted during the coating process and not allowed to reform as it would in atmosphere.
The K-Tech range produces coatings that are chemically, not mechanically, bonded and have absolutely dense, pore-free corrosionĀ barriers. They have a wide operating temperature capability – from cryogenicĀ pump applications to gas turbine compressors. Due to the application process, geometries such as internal bores can be coated effectively. K-Tech coatings exhibit extreme hardness which significantly improves the life of mechanical components. They have a smooth, low friction surface and are anti-galling.
The K-Tech ceramicĀ densificationĀ process significantly improves the corrosionĀ resistance of other coatings. A compositeĀ ceramicĀ material is thermochemicallyĀ bonded to customer-specified areas on a part, including OD’s and ID’s and some out-of-sight holes and ports. Individual ceramicĀ particles are sub-micron in size and consist of mixtures of selected ceramicĀ materials bonded together and to the substrate. Porous after the initial formation of the ceramic, the K-Tech application is densified using ceramicĀ precursor chemicals plus corrosionĀ resisting chemicals. When thermochemicallyĀ converted into ceramicĀ and corrosionĀ protection in situ, theĀ densificationĀ processes form additional bonds and mass within the initial ceramicĀ body. Each densificationĀ cycle fills some of the remaining porosityĀ until a fully dense, non porous, corrosion-resistant ceramic coatingĀ has been created.
The K-Tech coating develops a bond into the substrate through the formation of a spinel-like interface between the ceramic coatingĀ and the metal surface. Part of the thermochemical reaction causes the substrate metal atoms to migrate into the ceramic coatingĀ during initial processing resulting in an extremely high bond strength to the substrate, in excess of 10,000 psi.
The unique combination of particle hardness, chemical bonding, and lack of porosityĀ results in a coating which is unparalleled in wear resistance in corrosive environments. This has been proven in the field by the use of K-Tech coatings in downhole applications, resulting in life expectancies of components now being measured in years instead of days and weeks.
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