Objective
The available industrial processes for depositing thick glass coatings (enamelling and glazing) have serious disadvantages. The coatings are low strength, temperature-sensitive materials cannot be coated and also large components or structures outside cannot be coated.
Furthermore, the processes are low technology, vulnerable to competition from low-wage economies and consequently are in decline. The proposal will develop a new integrated process based on modified plasma spraying and combustion flame spraying coupled with infrared crystallization. It is aimed at overcoming the weakness of the available processes and widening application of the glass coatings. The proposed project will develop high-performance Nan structured glass-ceramic coatings and glass-based nanocomposite coatings. These have not been made before. High-strength glasses have high fuse temperatures and cannot be coated onto metal substrate by traditional enamelling. The proposal will employ recent sol-gel techniques to make Nan structured particles, which will be spray-dried to feedstock powder and then plasma (or combustion) sprayed. The rapid thermal cycle of spray-deposition preserves the Nan structure and suppresses crystallization. Near infrared radiation immediately after spraying will be used to control the nucleation and growth of the amorphous phase to produce Nan structured glass-ceramic coatings. For glass-based Nan composite coatings, thenanoparticles will be added to the base glass at the gel stage. Computational modelling will facilitate the understanding of the fundamental processes, enhance control and provide a science-based methodology for equipment design. The new technology will allow high-performance glass coatings to be produced with potential applications in, for example, machine tools, textile machinery, and automotive and chemical industries. The process will also enable temperature-sensitive materials (e.g. concrete and cast iron).
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP6-2002-NMP-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
STREP - Specific Targeted Research ProjectCoordinator
LONDON
United Kingdom