SX-80 Plasma Spraying System
The SX-80 is a high-energy plasma spraying system developed on the basis of imported METCO-class equipment, with an overall level equivalent to METCO-9M. The standard system consists of the main inverter power supply, PLC integrated control cabinet, water-electricity transfer box, powder feeder, plasma gun and heat exchanger with its piping.
Technical Parameters
- Rated power 80 kW, usable range 80-120 kW.
- Working current 100-800 A, arc voltage 30-100 V.
- Working gases: argon, nitrogen, or argon/nitrogen with hydrogen addition.
- Main components from Schneider, Omron and Chint for stable 24-hour operation.
- Supports internal-bore spraying with extension guns.
Plasma Spheroidization Powder Production
The same plasma platform is used for spheroidization: irregular powder particles are fed into the plasma jet, melted into droplets, and re-solidify under surface tension as dense, highly spherical powder with controlled oxygen pickup. Typical products include spherical alumina, zirconia and other ceramic powders for thermal spray, additive manufacturing and electronic applications.
Complete Production Line
Beyond the SX-80 system itself we supply the surrounding line: feeding and dosing equipment, spray chambers with sound insulation, dust collection, cooling and classifying units, robotic manipulation and process training, delivered as a turnkey installation.
System configuration
| Subsystem | Specification |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 80-120 kW, 100-800 A, 30-100 V, thyristor rectifier with PLC control |
| Spray gun | SG-100, up to 100 kW, internal or external powder injection |
| Powder feeder | Volumetric, dual hopper, 20-120 g/min per line |
| Gas control | Ar/N2 primary, H2 secondary, mass-flow controlled |
| Cooling | Closed-loop chiller with flow and temperature interlocks |
| Control | PLC with recipe storage, fault diagnosis and parameter logging |
Two duties, one platform
The same 80-120 kW supply drives both coating and powder spheroidization. In coating mode the gun sprays alumina, chromia, zirconia or carbide-ceramic blends onto prepared parts. In spheroidization mode the powder is fed through the plume in free flight, melts, and solidifies into dense spherical particles - the feedstock used for additive manufacturing, MIM and thermal spray powders.
Installation requirements
- Three-phase 380 V supply, 150 kVA capacity, stable within 5%.
- Water supply of 20-30 L/min at below 25 °C, or a matched chiller.
- Spray booth with 8,000-12,000 m³/h extraction and dust collection.
- Foundation able to carry 1.5 t, level within 2 mm/m.
Frequently asked questions
Can the system spray carbides?
It can spray carbide-ceramic blends, but pure WC-Co is better applied by HVOF: plasma temperatures decarburise tungsten carbide and reduce coating hardness. For WC-Co we recommend an HVOF system instead.
What is the maximum coating thickness?
Up to 2 mm for oxide ceramics with a bond coat and controlled cooling. Practical production thickness is normally 0.3-1.5 mm.
Is operator training included?
Yes. Installation, commissioning and a five-day operator and maintenance training programme are included with every system, and remote support continues afterwards.
Further reading: HVOF vs plasma spraying.
