Thermal spraying is a widely adopted method across many industries. The print and paper industry is no exception. Printing equipment must be well-maintained to keep working efficiently.

Metal coatings have been developed for several different applications to extend component life. Some specific coatings have specific resistance features – corrosion, rust, and wear resistance.

So, what are some of the applications for metal spraying in the printing and paper industry? Let’s review it.

The Print and Paper Industry

The printing industry has been around for hundreds of years. Ever since developing a metal printing press in the 1400s, the industry has only grown in importance.

Any printed matter can be produced in bulk through the use of a printing press. They’re responsible for getting documents, textbooks, articles, journals out to the public. So it’s easy to see how important it is for the machines to be performing perfectly.

And that also means protecting them against potential problems that can arise because of the material.

Some Thermal Spray Applications

Thermal sprays prolong the life of printing equipment and saves money in the long run. This is because it decreases repair time as well as increasing productivity.

So it’s important that the spray coatings are durable and reliable. Alphatek has a successful history of providing efficiency improving metal spraying solutions in the print and paper industry.

Roll Refurbishment

Process rolls can be refurbished in-situ or our purpose built facility at Alphatek.

Engraver rolls are used to transfer ink to paper. Ceramic coated rolls have a great transfer acceptance – the ceramic is tougher and has an improved surface area for wetting. The plasma spray is accepted better and offers additional resistance to corrosion.

Draw rolls are varied in size and made from hardened steel. This means that they wear, oxidise, and change dimension over time, making repairs and restorations necessary.

Bearings & Seats

Bearings of rubber-coated rollers can become clogged and damaged by debris or deposits of ink. It can cause wear and tear to the component so spray coatings applied to affected bearings aim to restore functionality. They also help to extend component life.

Blanket Cylinders

In the printing process, water is often required along with ink to achieve the most ideal printing density. Introducing water to any metallic subject can lead to corrosion problems. The blanket cylinder is often a target to this corrosion.

Blanket cylinder surfaces corrode away, leaving the blanket unstable when it’s being used. Corroded blanket cylinders can be refurbished by applying a stainless steel coating, working to bring the cylinder back to its original size.

Types of Thermal Spray Coatings Used

Alphatek supplies Chromium Oxide, thermal spray Carbides, Fluoropolymers, and Metal Alloys to effectively combat corrosion and wear.

Chromium Oxide Spray

Chrome oxide is used in wear-resistant applications because of its resistance ability against abrasion, erosion, and oxidation.

Typically, there are applied to pump components, seals, and shaft components.

Carbide Spray

Carbide powders supply a well-bonded coating that is both resilient and well-suited to deal with abrasion. These coatings can protect against oxidation and corrosion whilst withstanding temperatures as high as 1500 degrees.

Method

Combustion powder Flame, Combustion-wire and Electric Arc-wire are some of the established processes used to develop reliable and effective Thermal-Spray-applied coatings for applications in Print and Paper

It is quite a flexible process and can have specific advantages when used in this industry. This process has a higher degree of bond strength that a lot of others. The technique of using compressed air and electricity results in more economic coatings.

Alphatek’s Print & Paper Spraying Services

Our HVOF and Fluoropolymer coatings provide immense protection against aggressive wear and corrosion.

We are able to provide on-site and off-site services, offering flexibility with a minimum amount of interruption.

Why Choose Alphatek?

Our thermal spray coatings are individually formulated to meet the needs of every customer. We have clients from different industries with different requirements – we pride ourselves on our ability to provide.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in the automotive or aerospace industry, we aim to delivery the best in both quality and performance. Plus, we have a cumulative of over 100 years of coating experience.

Contact us on +44 (0)1706 821021 or email us at postbox@alphatek.co.uk.

If you would like to visit us in person, we are located 20 miles north of Manchester – here’s our opening times.