SURFACE ACTIVATION BY PLASMA JETS FOR THERMAL SPRAY COATING ON CYLINDER BORES

摘要

A method of activating the surface of an aluminum-based substrate. This method includes cleaning the substrate surface, and operating a plasma spraying device such that a air plasma jet produced by the device is accelerated toward the surface so that it removes or decomposes any remaining oxides and other surface contaminants. In one form, the surface being treated forms part of a cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine block. In a particular form where a protective coating is subsequently being applied to the substrate, a sequential series of plasma spraying devices may be used such that a first—preferably simpler—device is used to perform activation or pretreatment operations, while a second—and more comprehensive—device may be used to deposit the protective layer on the pretreated surface.

主权项

1. A method of activating the surface substrate of an aluminum-based engine cylinder bore to achieve better adhesion between a subsequently-applied protective coating and the substrate, said method comprising:
cleaning said surface to remove at least a portion of an oxide formed thereon; and operating a plasma spraying device such that an air plasma jet produced thereby impinges on said surface.