THERMAL DEPOSITION METHODS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF VEHICLE WHEELS

摘要

A layer of metal (43) is thermally sprayed onto a prepared vehicle wheel surface (42) with an arc plasma spray gun (30). The sprayed metal layer (43) is polished. A layer of another metal can be deposited over the polished metal layer to provide an attractive and durable wheel surface finish. For a bimetal vehicle wheel, a layer of metal which is compatible for welding to the metal forming the wheel disc is thermally sprayed onto an outboard portion of the wheel rim to form a weld anchor. A layer of material is also thermally sprayed onto a portion of the surface of a vehicle wheel rim drop well to reduce the porosity of the drop well.