Feed rate of powder or wire into the gun. Plasma and HVOF powder rates commonly run from about 20 to 100 grams per minute, and arc spray rates are quoted in kilograms or pounds per hour. Raising spray rate without more energy leaves particles underheated, while too low a rate wastes gun time. Spray rate times deposition efficiency gives the deposit rate actually landing on the part.
Spray rate's set at 60 grams but the gun can't melt that much carbide, drop to 45 and see if the unmelts go away.
Also heard as
- feed rate
- powder feed rate
Related terms
Powder feeder
The hopper and metering unit that delivers a steady, measured flow of powder to the spray gun.
Deposition efficiency
The percentage of the feedstock sprayed that actually ends up as coating on the part.
Unmelts
Lab shorthand for particles that hit the surface without fully melting and kept their round shape.
Surface speed
How fast the part surface moves past the gun, set by part rotation and robot traverse.