Overview
ISO 14231:2000 - "Thermal spraying - Acceptance inspection of thermal spraying equipment" defines requirements and test procedures for the acceptance inspection of thermal spraying plants that produce high-quality coatings. It covers plasma, arc and flame spraying systems and establishes how suppliers and users can verify that equipment is suitable for consistent, reproducible thermal-sprayed coatings as part of a total quality-assurance programme.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope of inspection: Acceptance inspection applies to plasma, arc and flame spraying equipment and is intended to form part of technical delivery conditions and quality assurance.
- General conditions: Equipment must meet relevant safety requirements, be correctly installed, have adequate gas supply (volume and purity), and be supplied with operating/maintenance manuals.
- Designated tests: Tests are performed with the gun in a fixed position and in an agreed mode; results are recorded in inspection reports (Annexes A–D provide report templates).
- Plasma spraying specific checks:
- Continuous operation power rating verified (20 min spray test, e.g., using aluminium oxide).
- High-voltage ignition must not interfere with other functions.
- Cooling water circuit capacity must meet manufacturer minimums.
- Powder feed must be stand‑alone, controllable, reproducible and handle fine powders; de‑mixing limits apply.
- Monitoring instruments must display and record gas pressure/flow, powder feed, arc voltage/current with instrument limits of error ≤ 5% and maximum permissible error 2.5% of span.
- Stability tolerances for parameters provided by class (A/B/C) - e.g., voltage deviation after stabilization: 3% (A), 6% (B), 12% (C).
- Arc spraying checks:
- Maintain maximum continuous power with appropriate wire diameter and head design.
- Wire feed and atomizing gas systems must be continuous, controllable and reproducible.
- Monitoring instrument error limits same as plasma.
- Flame spraying checks:
- Support for designed combustible, atomizing and carrier gases; nozzle deposit limits; controllable feed for wire, rod, cord or powder.
- Gas pressure/flow stability requirements defined by class.
Practical applications and users
- Who uses ISO 14231:
- Equipment manufacturers (suppliers) for factory acceptance tests and delivery documentation.
- Industrial users and end‑users who verify equipment suitability on installation or as part of quality systems.
- Quality and inspection engineers, R&D labs, and procurement teams specifying acceptance criteria.
- Use cases:
- Commissioning new plasma/arc/flame spray units.
- Contractual acceptance testing and supplier certification.
- Integrating equipment tests into coating process qualification and QA/QC programs.
Related standards
- Normative reference: ISO 14232 (Thermal spraying - Powders - Composition and technical supply conditions).
- Prepared by ISO/TC 107 (Metallic and other inorganic coatings).