Air and power
Verify dry, filtered compressed air at the required delivery and pressure under load. Check electrical supply against the selected system specification.
Compare utility requirementsBALTiCOLD SPRAY / KNOWLEDGE BASE
Make the first trial
a useful one.
Clear answers to the practical questions: compressed air, heating, powder selection, surface preparation and the limits of a coating.
PRACTICAL PREPARATION
Plan the workplace before the trial.
Surface and access
Identify the substrate, remove unsound or incompatible surface material and plan nozzle access, masking and the area to be treated.
Understand the processInspection and finishing
Define coating allowance, finishing steps and acceptance tests. The checks should reflect the part’s actual mechanical, electrical or environmental duty.
Plan a representative trial06 / BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Clear answers. Better decisions.
A good fit?
Let’s be specific.
Cold spray is a process to qualify for a job. These questions help you decide where to start.
THE MOST USEFUL FIRST STEP
A small, measured trial.
Agree the target result, test a representative sample and review the evidence before committing to production.
Talk through your applicationWhat is a promising application?+
An accessible surface needing local metal build-up or a functional coating, where the chosen powder can bond and the result can be tested. Substrate condition, nozzle access and service requirements matter as much as the equipment.
When might it be the wrong process?+
Poor nozzle access, unstable or contaminated substrates, unsuitable powders, or requirements outside a qualified coating’s performance may rule it out. Structural cracks and safety-critical repairs need an approved engineering procedure; a deposited layer alone does not establish safety.
Does “cold” mean there is no heat?+
No. The current CSM specifications list gas temperature at the nozzle inlet of 200–600 °C. This is not the particle or part temperature. The powder remains solid in the cold spray process, while the component may still heat up. Thermal effects must be checked on sensitive parts.
What does the workshop need?+
The supplied CSM specifications state 0.4 m³/min air consumption at 5–8 bar operating pressure, a maximum inlet pressure of 9 bar and up to 3.3 kW electrical power. Check air delivery under load, drying and filtration, electrical supply, appropriate dust extraction, powder handling and operator protection.
Can any metal powder be used?+
No. Composition, particle size, morphology, feed behaviour and the powder–substrate combination affect deposition. Use a compatible grade and confirm its technical and safety data. A powder name alone does not establish availability or compatibility.
How do we choose a system and estimate cost?+
Share the component, required coating, repair area, target thickness and expected quantity. The estimate should consider equipment, powder, compressed air, preparation, spraying, finishing and inspection. A trial helps establish realistic powder use and cycle time.
How should the workplace be arranged?+
Use a controlled spray area with suitable extraction, filtration and powder collection. Match these controls to the powder safety data and task. Plan clean powder storage, surface preparation, operator protection and inspection alongside the spraying equipment.
Can cold spray create conductive layers on PEEK?+
Preliminary development work has explored direct metal deposition on engineering polymers, including PEEK, for conductive and solderable surfaces. Gas settings, stand-off distance, powder composition and substrate preparation all matter. The results are a starting point for further testing, not a general rating for every polymer part. Validate adhesion, electrical performance, thermal cycling and environmental durability.
Where can I find model specifications and powder grades?+
Read the dedicated CSM360, CSM270 and CSM108.2 pages for equipment data and setup requirements. Use the powder selection guide to compare compositions and applications, or contact BaltiCold Spray to discuss your part.
TECHNICAL GLOSSARY
Cold spray terms, explained.
- Substrate
- The original material receiving the sprayed coating.
- Feedstock
- The powder grade or blend supplied to the spray system.
- Stand-off distance
- The separation between the nozzle exit and the target surface.
- Deposition
- The build-up of a coating as incoming particles are retained on the surface.
- Coating allowance
- Material added beyond the final profile to allow the specified finishing operation.
- Qualification
- Documented evidence that a defined process and component satisfy agreed acceptance requirements.