Wear mechanisms are present in several industrial sectors and affect pieces, equipments, reservoirs and pipelines surfaces. Examples where this can be noticed are energy generation, oil production and refining and mining, characterized by large scale continuous processing. Two approaches are possible as solutions for this problem: previous surface coating with high resistance materials and periodic maintenance. An option for this procedure is PTA-P Welding (Plasma Transferred Arc with Powder as filler material. In the framework of a R&D project dedicated to innovations regarding PTA-P equipment and parameterization, this two part article series provides a wide Literature Review concerning not only scientific, but also technological aspects, with special attention given to current research lines of world reference center. Despite being well established in its basic principles, a profusion of different constructive features, applications, advantages and limitations of the PTA-P could be observed. Along this series this information will be confronted mutually and with in-house generated knowledge in critical approach, under concrete criteria. This first article deals with historical and conceptual aspects and different projects of fundamental system constructive elements, giving rise to different operation ranges and target applications.
Plasma Powder Welding; Coating; Torch; Powder Feeder
