Application of Thermal Spraying Techniques Used for the Surface Protection of Boiler Tubes in Power Plants

Distinct methods of depositing the coatings are available according to the intended area of application with a sole objective to protect the surface of structural component like boiler, boiler tubes, and heat exchangers from any mechanical or chemical damage. The main benefit is to minimize the manufacturing cost of a new component and also its fabrication. Thermal spraying is the commonly used technique to tailor the surface properties with a cost-effective approach. The different techniques of thermal spraying such as plasma, HVOF, cold spraying, etc. were investigated and introduced. Although each of these processes has advantages, there are also certain disadvantages associated with them, which limit their application. In the chapter, different methods of depositing coating by thermal spray are discussed and compared. By developing advanced techniques and new coating materials, the life and efficiency of power plants can be enhanced in the future.