Issued October 2000

Supersedes May, 1980

TM

Metco 34F Fine Grade

Tungsten Carbide Powder

Technical Bulletin #10-046


Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder

Metco 34F is composed of a fine tungsten carbide-cobalt powder blended with a fine nickel-chrome
self-fluxing alloy powder. It contains 50% of the tungsten carbide-cobalt.

Metco 34F was especially developed to produce thin coatings which are hard, dense, smooth and
capable of taking a high finish, requiring very little grinding to clean up.

Metco 34F is equivalent to Metco 34FP in terms of coating characteristics and performance, and is
lower in cost. It is recommended in preference to 34FP, except in cases where the user is required to
apply 34FP because of a process specification, or some similar reason.

Metco 34F is one of several self-fluxing alloys which were designed to be fused or remelted in a
normal atmosphere after being sprayed. They then coalesce into a dense, essentially pore-free
coating.

Metco 34F produces coatings which resist wear by abrasive grains, hard surfaces, particle erosion,
and fretting.

Coatings of Metco 34F can be used unfused wherever the workpiece cannot tolerate fusing
temperatures. No hardness tests have been made on unfused Metco 34F coatings, but it is known
that they contain a high concentration of tungsten carbide particles, with a hardness of Rc75, solidly
imbedded in the matrix.

This revision has been issued to add 7M System Parameters and metric requirements.

**********

The Metco self-fluxing alloys were designed to be sprayed with Metco ThermoSpray equipment and
subsequently fused. Plasma Flame Spray equipment produces excellent semi-fused coatings of Metco
34F. Note that use of a bond coat is recommended when producing semi-fused coatings of 34F.

Applications

Metco 34F is recommended for the following applications:

Coating No. Coating Function Typical Applications

T34F-11 Resist Abrasive Grains Ammonia applicator knives,

(Low Temperature) Buffing and polishing fixtures

#10-046 Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder 2

T34F-11 Resist Hard Surfaces Slipways,
(Low Temperature) Plug gages

T34F-11 Resist Fretting Cam followers,

(Intended Motion) Rocker arms

T34F-11 Resist Particle Erosion Exhaust fans,

(Low Temperature) Hydroelectric valves

Powder Characteristics

Typical Composition: Tungsten Carbide - 12% Cobalt Aggregate 50.0%

Nickel 33.0%
Chromium 9.0%
Iron 3.5%
Silicon 2.0%
Boron 2.0%
Carbon 0.5%

Typical Size Range: -270 mesh +15 microns

Melting Point: (Self-fluxing alloy constituent)

1025C (1875F)

Typical Physical Properties of the Coating

Plasma Flame
Coatings of
T34F-11 Metco 34F

Texture, as-sprayed: Fine Fine

Texture, as fused: Smooth
Ground finish, 400 grit wheel (microinches aa): 6-8 6-8
Lapped finish (microinches aa): 1-4 2-4
Porosity, %: Essentially Very low
Non-porous
Density (g/cc): 9.9 9.3
Weight (lb./ft.2/.001": .051 .048
(kg./m2/0.1mm): .97 .92
Macrohardness: Rc59-Rc62 Rc54-Rc58
Shrink during fusing: 12%
Bonding: Metallurgical Excellent
Wetting: Good
Plastic range: Narrow

#10-046 Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder 3

Thickness Limitations

The recommended minimum thickness for a fused coating of Metco 34F is 0.3mm (.010"). If thinner
coatings are needed, careful surface preparation (including the use of very fine blasting grit) and
careful fusing will be required to produce coatings free of pinholes. A practical maximum thickness for
a fused coating is 0.5mm (.020")- 0.6mm (.025").

Plasma flame sprayed coatings are very dense and are semi-fused. Because of this and because of
the shrink in the self-fluxing matrix, plasma flame coatings thicker than 0.4 mm (.015") require a
special spraying technique. Coatings 0.5 mm (.020") thick have been produced on flat surfaces by
preheating to about 205C (400F) and maintaining the work temperature between 400 and 600F
(205-315C) during spraying. It may be possible to apply coatings more than 0.5 mm (.020") thick on
cylindrical surfaces, using this method, but we have not tried it.

Spraying

Preheating: The chief combustion product of a hydrogen-oxygen flame is water

Bond Coat:
Finishing Allowance:
Deposit Efficiency:
vapor. When using Parameter Set No. 1, it is recommended that an
acetylene torch rather than the gun be used for preheating, to prevent
condensation and ensure good bonding.
A bond coat is recommended for a coating which will not be fused. A
bond coat cannot be used under a fused coating.
Fused coatings of Metco 34F are very hard and are difficult to grind.
Spray only enough material to permit the coating to clean up after
fusing. A finishing allowance of .03-.08 mm (.001"-.003") on the radius
is adequate, since properly applied and properly fused coatings are very
smooth.
The Deposit Efficiencies shown in the following ThermoSpray chart are
nominal and will vary with spray distance. For instance, when using
hydrogen as the fuel gas in the Type 5P, DE will range from about 90%
at a 100 mm (4") spray distance to about 80% at a 175 mm (7") spray
distance. Using acetylene and pinch air the range is about 90% at 75
mm (3") to about 80% at 150 mm (6"). A change in DE is a direct
indication of a change in the amount of tungsten carbide being
deposited; the self-fluxing alloy constituent will average 95% DE over the
whole range or recommended spraying distances. If it is necessary to
spray closer than the recommended minimum distance to improve
Target Efficiency, auxiliary cooling of the workpiece will be reduced.

Fusing

Use a Metco Fusing Torch adjusted to produce a soft, slightly reducing flame (gas flow ratio 3 oxygen:
4 acetylene).

Do not heat a small area of the coating to a high local temperature; the coating may expand rapidly
and separate from the base. Preheat the work evenly from a distance of 100-125 mm (4-5"), moving
the flame back and forth over the surface, to a temperature of 315-540C (600-1000F).

#10-046 Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder 4

After preheating, move the torch nozzle to a distance of about 38 mm (11/2") from the work, about 25
mm (1") in from the edge of the coating. Oscillate the torch slightly as the fusing point is reached. The
coating will show a glassy shine when it fuses. Do not overheat past this stage; the coating may sag
or run.

When fusing is finished let the part cool slowly. One way to do this is to bury it in vermiculite in a metal
container. Fast cooling may crack the coating.

Fusing can also be done in a furnace or by induction. See Volume II of the Metco Flame Spray
Handbook for information on these methods.

Finishing

Fused coatings of Metco 34F can be ground with silicon carbide or diamond wheels. For best results
use diamond wheels and the same grinding techniques as used for solid tungsten carbide. Using
diamond wheels at 5500 surface feet per minute (1675 m/min), rough with a 240 grit wheel, size with
a 400 grit wheel and finish with a 600 or 800 grit wheel. For a lapped finish, use diamond compound
and leather.

Safety Measures

Flame spraying is a completely safe process when performed in accordance with Metcos Safety
Measures. Familiarize yourself with local safety regulations before starting spraying operations. DO
NOT operate your spraying equipment or use the spray material supplied before you have thoroughly
read the Metco Instruction Manual.

Disregarding these instructions may be dangerous to your health.

#10-046 Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder 5

System Parameters Thermospray

Set #1 Set #2 Set #3

Spray Gun
Type: 2P 5P 5P
Nozzle: P7 P7-G P7-B
Metering Valve: 1 11 12
Air Jet Unit: No No No
Vibrator: Yes Yes Yes

Gas
Pressure - Oxygen, psi: (Note 1) 25 35 30
bars: (Note 1) 1.75 2.4 2.1
Acetylene, psi: (Note 1) 15
bars: (Note 1) 1.03
Hydrogen, psi: (Note 1) 25 35
bars: (Note 1) 1.75 2.4
Air, psi: (Note 1) 40
Flow - Oxygen: (Note 1) 20 30 33
Acetylene: (Note 1) 33
Hydrogen: (Note 1) 40 45

Powder Feed
Flow Control Valve - clicks open:
(Note 3) 7-9 7-11 16-18

Spraying (Note 4)
Spray Distance, inches: 4-7" 4-7" 3-6"
mm: 102-179 102-179 76-153
Spray Rate, lb/hr: 6 16 10
kg/hr: 2.7 7.3 4.54
Gas Consumption, Oxygen, ft3/hr: 30 54 57
m3/hr: .84 1.5 1.6
Acetylene, ft3/hr: 32
m3/hr: .90
Hydrogen, ft3/hr: 148 200
m3/hr: 4.2 5.6
Coverage, ft /hr/.001":
3
106 256 166
m2/hr/0.1mm: 2.5 6.1 4.0
Powder Required, lb/ft2/.001": .064 .060 .060
kg/m2/0.1mm: 1.23 1.15 1.15
Deposit Efficiency, %: (Note 5) 80 85 85

Notes:
1. Type 2GF Flowmeter. When using Type GF Flowmeter, reduce pressure for oxygen 10 psi (.69
bars) and also reduce pressure for acetylene 2-4 psi (.14-.28 bars) to obtain flowmeter readings
shown.
2. (For Parameter Set No. 3 only.) Orient air cap to provide pinch effect (grooved face outward).
#10-046 Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder 6
3. Use as a starting point. Adjust as necessary to obtain spray rate shown.
4. Spray rates and deposit efficiencies shown were obtained by skilled operators with all
equipment in first-class condition.
5. Deposit efficiency figures have been rounded off for easy calculation.

System Parameters Plasma Flame

Set #3 Set #4
N2/H2 A/H2 N2/H2 A/H2
Spray gun
Type: 2MB 2MB 3MB/7MB 3MB/7MB
Nozzle: E ES GE GP
Powder Port: #2 #2
Uni-Jet Ring: (Note 1) 3M 275 3M 275
Insulator: (Note 2) 7M 55 7M 50

Gas
Pressure - Primary, psi: 50 100 50 100
bars: 3.45 6.89 3.45 6.89
Secondary, psi: 50 50 50 50
bars: 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45
Flow - Primary: 150 100 150 100
Secondary: (Note 3) 10 10 10 15

Power
Unit: (Note 4)
Arc Amps: 400 500 400 500
Arc Volts: 65-75 60-70 75-85 70-80

Powder Feed
Unit: 2MP 2MP 3MP or 3MP-DUAL
Meter Wheel: S S
RPM: (Note 5) 21 18
CR Speed Dial Setting: 24 20
Carrier Gas Flow: Full Open Full Open 37 37

Spraying (Note 7)
Spray Distance, inches: 6 6 6 6
mm: 150 150 150 150
Spray Rate, lb/hr: 7 7 9 81/2
kg/hr: 3.18 3.18 4.08 3.05
Coverage, ft2/hr/.001": 101 79 150 106
m2/hr/0.1mm: 2.35 1.84 3.49 2.47
Powder Required, lb/ft2/.001": .069 .088 .060 .080
kg/m2/0.1mm: 1.32 1.68 1.15 1.53
Deposit Efficiency, %: (Note 6) 70 55 80 60
Deposition Rate, lb/hr: 4.9 3.9 7.2 5.1
kg/hr: 2.2 1.8 3.3 2.3
#10-046 Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder 7
Notes:
1. The Type 2MB and 3MB Guns use Cat. No. 3M 275 Uni-Jet Ring with the Cat. No. 3M 276
Electrode Nut. Install ring with the 45 internal recess facing the nut and with the jet hole toward the
top of the gun, approximately 180 from the gas inlet.
2. With the Type 7MB Gun, use Cat. No. 7M 50 Insulator with Argon, and Cat. No. 7M 55 Insulator
with Nitrogen.
3. The secondary gas flow shown in the chart may be adjusted as much as 5 points, if necessary, to
obtain voltage within the range shown; EXCEPT THAT the secondary gas flow may not be reduced
to zero, and hydrogen flow may not exceed 25. If the required voltage is not obtained with this
preliminary gas flow adjustment, check the equipment for a worn nozzle, a worn electrode, or a gas
leak between the flowmeter and the gun. If there is no gas leak, and the nozzle and electrode are
not badly worn, further adjustment of the secondary gas flow, up to an additional 5 points, is
permissible, if this second adjustment does not result in a flow of zero or a hydrogen flow
exceeding 25. If the required voltage is not then obtained, replace the worn parts.
4. The Metco 2MR, 4MR, 6MR, or 7MR Power Supply Units can be used. CAUTION: When using the
Type 6MR and 7MR units with a Type 2MB and 3MB Gun, do not exceed 40KW operation.
5. Use as a starting point. Adjust as necessary to obtain spray rate shown.
6. Rounded off for easy calculation.
7. Spray rates and deposit efficiencies shown were obtained by skilled operators with all equipment in
first-class condition.

Producing Recommended Coating

T34F-11 Surface Preparation: Use any standard method compatible with this
material.

Spraying: Use Spraying Parameter Set Nos. 1 or 2. Refer to

Metco Flame Spray Handbook, Volume II for special
techniques.

Post Spraying Treatment: Fuse

Finishing: Grind

The information provided in this document is for the convenience of Sulzer Metcos customers for the
purpose of evaluation and proper use of the Sulzer Metco product(s) described herein. This document
and the information contained herein is the property of Sulzer Metco and shall not be used, disclosed,
or reproduced in whole or in part for any purpose other than for the use of said product(s). Nor shall
this information be used in any way with goods not manufactured and sold by Sulzer Metco. Sulzer
Metco makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the information contained herein.

#10-046 Metco 34F Fine Grade Tungsten Carbide Powder 8