Clearance Control Coatings - Low Cost, Abradable, Lubricious

Abradable Powder Coatings improve the efficiency of blowers, compressors, engines, pumps, etc., by reducing operating clearances and friction. Characteristics of lubricious, abradable clearance control coatings are discussed and related to performance and durability improvements in pumps, engines, and other devices. The coatings can be applied very thick and sometimes provide an interference fit when a device is assembled. During initial operation, the coating breaks in to form a perfect fit between mating parts. Controlled abrasion even accounts for thermal and stress related distortions in components as the coating wears in. Once the optimum fit is achieved, stresses on the coating are reduced and the break-in process stops. The coatings support and maintain hydrodynamic oil film regime. Provided data indicate that durability, low friction, anti-scuff properties of the coating maintain tighter operating clearances and higher efficiency for the life of the device. These proprietary composite coatings are easily tailored for different applications by varying thickness, texture, hardness, lubricity, chemical and thermal resistance. These materials have been used on millions of cars since 2000 because of their low cost, high performance, robust processing, and environmentally friendly characteristics. Flow Coatings, LLC believes these materials will help small engine manufacturers meet environmental, performance, and cost challenges.