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Indian scientists claim to have discovered  High Velocity Air Fuel (HVAF) Spray Technique as an alternative to hard chrome plating.

Hard Composite Coatings Through HVAF Spray Technique

• Scientists from International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) carried out synthesis of thin hard coatings of a composite alloy of Tungsten, cobalt, and chromium (WC-10Co-4Cr) by high velocity air fuel spraying. 
• Thin coatings were deposited with torches with different capacities and by employing different nozzle sizes.

About HVAF Spray Technique

• HVAF coating technology involves the combustion of propane within a compressed air stream, generating a consistently high-velocity jet. 
  • In this process, material is introduced into the air-fuel stream, propelling coating particles towards the target component.

Potential Benefits of HVAF Spraying Thin Coating technique

• Improve Coating Quality : It operates at low temperatures and high particle velocities, using finer-sized powders.  
• Economical benefits: As it reduces the need for grinding processes.
• Maintain  better wear resistance than hard chrome plating
• A Better alternative for heavy-load applications like hydraulic shafts and valves.

News Source: PIB