Overview
EN ISO 17836:2017 - Thermal spraying: Determination of the deposition efficiency for thermal spraying (ISO 17836:2017) defines a standardized test procedure to measure deposition efficiency (DE) for thermal spray processes. The method provides a repeatable way to compare different spray processes and feedstock (wire, rod, cord, powder) under defined conditions. The standard is applicable across all thermal spray processes (see ISO 14917) and specifies test pieces, equipment, measurement steps and reporting requirements.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Applies to all thermal spray processes and common spray materials; intended when quantitative deposition efficiency data are required.
- Definitions: Clear definitions for deposition efficiency, mass of spray material fed through, and feed rate.
- Test pieces: Two normative options - a pipe (Annex A) and a plate (Annex B). Coating area is reduced by at least one spray-jet width from edges.
- Preparation and equipment:
- Test piece preparation (e.g., degreasing and grit-blasting) must be documented.
- Required equipment: spray system, feeder (wire/rod/cord/powder), handling systems, gas/power, spray cabin and exhaust, and scales (minimum 0.1 g accuracy).
- Test procedure:
- Determine feed rate (g/min) from at least two run-throughs and calculate mean.
- Apply spray with documented parameters; spray angle should be within 90° ± 10°.
- Minimum two test pieces, with a coating time of 30 s each (longer if needed for practical conditions).
- Measure mass change of each test piece after spraying.
- Calculation:
- Deposition efficiency for each piece: η (%) = (Δm_tp / m_sm) × 100
- Δm_tp = mass increase of test piece (g)
- m_sm = mass of spray material fed through (g) = feed rate (g/min) × spray time (s) / 60
- Report mean deposition efficiency across test pieces.
- Reporting: Test reports must include reference to ISO 17836, spray equipment/gun, feed mechanism, spray process, key spray parameters, test-piece type and preparation, spray material reference, mean feed rate and DE, deviations, observations and date.
Applications and users
- Use cases:
- Comparing thermal spray processes and feedstock for material selection and process optimization.
- Estimating material usage, cost-per-part and waste reduction.
- Quality control, validation of new spray guns or feeders, and supplier qualification.
- Typical users:
- Coating engineers, production managers and process technicians in thermal spray shops.
- R&D laboratories and test houses performing comparative evaluations.
- Procurement and specification writers who require standardized DE data for contracts.
Related standards
- ISO 14917 - Thermal spray process classification
- ISO 14232-1 - Powder characterization and supply conditions
- ISO 14919 - Wires, rods and cords supply conditions
- EN 13507 - Surface preparation guidance
EN ISO 17836:2017 is a practical, repeatable standard for measuring deposition efficiency to support process selection, cost analysis and quality assurance in thermal spraying.