Employees of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) have patented a device that makes plasma spraying more efficient. An additional short arc is created inside the plasmatron, which spins the plasma jet, making it more chaotic and powerful. The more chaotic the flow, the stronger and more uniform the coatings on the parts.
The device works like a remote control. The circuit includes a ballast resistance, an electronic key, and a control unit. The programmable unit sets the frequency and duration of the short arc pulses – this allows the plasma flow to be adjusted for a specific task.
Plasma spraying is used where parts need to be protected from wear, corrosion, or high temperatures: in aviation, energy, and mechanical engineering. The new development improves the quality of coatings without replacing all equipment – it is enough to upgrade the power source.
