Friction Surfacing Coating
A method for applying wear-resistant layers by axially pressing and rotating a rod onto the substrate, operating entirely without shielding gas or filler powder.
In friction surfacing, a rotating rod made of the coating material is pressed onto the workpiece under pressure. Friction plasticizes the rod tip, which is then deposited as a uniform, thin layer on the surface – kind of like a metallic adhesive being applied.
The process is well suited for wear-resistant or corrosion-resistant layers. Setting pressure and rotational speed is key: too little pressure and the layer won't adhere properly, too much and the material squeezes out sideways or tears off. You need to get a feel for how the rod "flows" cleanly.
Heat input is also important. If the rod gets too hot, it burns or the layer becomes porous. If it's too cold, it won't stick. You'll find the right combination of contact pressure and feed rate best by running a few test pieces until the deposit looks clean and pore-free.