Knowing how to conquer wear and corrosion is necessary across numerous industries. Wear and corrosion can cause considerable issues and be costly to fix. However, metal coating services (also known as thermal spraying) can be used to reduce wear and corrosion, and minimise disruption to production.
In this blog, we’re looking at the common causes and potential consequences of untreated wear and corrosion, and how metal spraying protects your valued assets.
What Causes Wear and Corrosion?
Surfaces can be degraded over time by both mechanical wear and chemical wear. This
can happen over long periods, for example, several years, or relatively quickly, depending on several factors.
Wear and corrosion can be a result of:
- Friction between parts (either deliberate as part of its function or accidental, due to incorrect alignment or lack of lubrication)
- Environmental conditions
- Extreme temperatures
- Parts exposed to the elements
- Lack of maintenance or repair
- Improper use (either accidental, for example, through lack of training, or deliberate)
Consequences of Wear and Corrosion
While wear and corrosion take place over time, the consequences of unremedied wear and corrosion can often be sudden and sometimes severe.
Machinery Malfunctions
When parts are worn and corroded, they’re more likely to malfunction during use, with potentially disastrous consequences for your livelihood and the well being of your workers.
Safety Concerns
Worn and corroded parts are a safety issue, since they increase the likelihood of malfunction and may result in workplace accidents.
If equipment has been allowed to deteriorate and hasn’t been maintained or replaced, as an employer, this could place you in breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which state:
‘Where work equipment is exposed to deteriorating conditions liable to result in dangerous situations, it must be inspected to ensure faults are detected in good time so the risk to health and safety is managed.’
Unplanned Downtime
Worn and corroded equipment may malfunction or stop working at any time, leading to sudden, unplanned downtime and a marked decrease in productivity.
Reduced Quality
If parts are worn and corroded, machinery won’t work as it should and may lead to faulty end products. Even if equipment continues to run, it could lead to a reduction in product quality.
Reputational Risk
Whether it’s through reduced productivity, quality control issues or a greater number of accidents, wear and corrosion can pose a risk to your business reputation and affect relationships with your existing or potential clients.
Reduced Profit
Ultimately, if left untreated, worn and corroded metal components can result in lowered profits, affecting the financial future of your company.
How Metal Spraying Protects Your Valued Assets
Metal spraying can be used to protect, enhance and prolong the life of any metal surface. Here’s how:
Anti-Corrosion Protection
Metal spraying protects products and parts from corrosion. This prevents the metal from rusting, which affects both function and aesthetics. By covering metal surfaces with an anti-corrosive coating, you can maintain their appearance and performance, enhancing safety and productivity and protecting your valued assets.
Environmental Protection
If you have equipment or machinery that needs to work under extreme weather conditions, such as high winds, heavy rain or snow and ice, then the right spray coating can protect it from potential environmental damage.
Likewise, if your product needs to function at extreme temperatures – whether high or low – metal spraying, such as thermal barrier coating, offers protection and peace of mind.
Increased Lifespan
Metal coating enhances the longevity of metal surfaces, meaning you can protect your investment and reduce the need for repairs or replacement parts.
Convenient Repairs and Maintenance
Metal coating services offer a convenient way to tackle repairs and ongoing maintenance of your valued assets without needing to factor in extensive downtime. Furthermore, many metal spraying services can be performed on-site for added convenience.
Metal Spraying Services at Alphatek
With more than 100 years of cumulative coating expertise, at Alphatek, we work closely with our clients to find the right solutions for their needs. Our capabilities allow us to conquer wear and corrosion every time.
We’ve used our extensive experience to develop metal spraying products and services that help conquer wear and corrosion to protect your valued assets.
If you’d like to learn more about us and what we offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also call us on 01706 821021 or email us at postbox@alphatek.co.uk.
Alternatively, if you’d like to visit Alphatek in person, you’ll find us 20 miles north of Manchester. Please check our current opening times when planning your visit.
