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HVOF – High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) coating

High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) coating is a thermal spray coating process used to improve or restore a component’s surface properties or dimensions, extending equipment lifespan significantly, also increasing erosion and wear resistance, and corrosion protection.

Molten or semi-molten materials are sprayed onto the surface by means of the high temperature, high-velocity gas stream, producing a dense spray coating which can be ground to a very high surface finish.

The utilisation of the HVOF coating technique allows the application of coating materials such as metals, alloys, and carbides to produce a coating of exceptional hardness, outstanding adhesion to the substrate material and providing substantial wear resistance and corrosion protection.

Powders available including:

  • Tungsten carbide/cobalt/chrome (86-10-4) (Diatec 1086)
  • Nickel/chrome/boron alloy (Diatec 1060) – (or nickel/chrome/boron with tungsten carbide matrix)
  • Chrome carbide
  • Tungsten carbide (various blends)
  • Inconel 625 and 718
  • Hastelloy, stainless steel, nickel (and almost any commercially available metal)
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Nicol & Andrew (MSPE) provides an array of HVOF coating materials to suit your specific needs. Backed by a customer-driven service, our facilities process a wide variety of component sizes to exacting standards with reliable, repeatable results.

Benefits HVOF coating:

  • Reduced costs.
  • Improved performance.
  • Improved electrical properties.
  • Enabling components to operate in higher/lower temperatures.
  • Enabling components to operate within harsh chemical environments.
  • Improved efficiency.
  • Improved life of mating components
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Application & Materials

HVOF is an attractive technique as it offers a wide choice of materials and processes that have a reduced impact on the environment when compared to conventional plating processes. HVOF coating materials available for thermal spray coating include metals, alloys and carbides

Process Details

As with all thermal spray coating processes, HVOF coating material is heated and accelerated by a gas stream to a component’s surface, to attain better properties. With the HVOF coating process, the gas stream is produced by mixing and igniting oxygen and fuel (gas or liquid) in a combustion chamber and allowing the high-pressure gas to accelerate through a nozzle. A powder is introduced into this stream where it is heated and accelerated towards a component’s surface. The resulting thermal spray coating consists of thin overlapping platelets.

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HVOF alternative to Hard Chrome

Hexavalent chrome, also known as chromium (VI), has been widely used in various industries for its exceptional corrosion resistance and durability. However, its toxic nature poses significant risks to human health and the environment. HVOF has emerged as a REACH-compliant alternative, offering performance that exceeds customer requirements while minimising environmental impacts.

HVOF: The REACH-compliant solution

HVOF is an advanced thermal spray coating technique that utilises a high-speed stream of oxygen and fuel gas to propel molten particles onto a substrate surface. This process creates a dense, tightly bonded coating with excellent adhesion and high-quality mechanical properties. Importantly, HVOF coatings can provide a viable substitute for hexavalent chrome in a wide range of applications including , oil & gas, petrochem, pulp & paper, marine, aerospace, automotive, and other manufacturing industries.

Performance equivalence

One of the key advantages of HVOF coatings is their ability to exceed customer requirements. HVOF coatings offer exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion protection, making them suitable for demanding applications. This makes it possible to replace hexavalent chrome with HVOF coatings without compromising the performance and functionality of the coated parts or components.

REACH compliance

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation in the European Union aims to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the safe use of chemicals. Hexavalent chrome is subject to strict restrictions under REACH due to its toxicity. HVOF coatings, on the other hand, are a compliant alternative, as they do not contain hexavalent chrome or any other restricted substances. By adopting HVOF technology, companies can adhere to REACH regulations and promote a safer working environment.

Environmental benefits

The adoption of HVOF coatings offers several environmental benefits over hexavalent chrome:

  • Reduced health risks: Hexavalent chrome poses significant health risks, including respiratory problems and potential carcinogenic effects. By eliminating the use of hexavalent chrome, HVOF coatings reduce workers’ exposure to toxic substances, ensuring a safer workplace.
  • Reduced environmental contamination: Hexavalent chrome runoff from industrial processes can contaminate soil and water, posing a threat to ecosystems. HVOF coatings are environmentally friendly, as they do not release hazardous substances. This helps protect water resources and preserves ecological balance.
  • Extended equipment lifespan: HVOF coatings provide superior protection against corrosion and wear, extending the lifespan of coated equipment and components. This reduces the need for frequent replacement and associated resource consumption, further promoting environmental sustainability.

In summary

HVOF coatings offer a REACH-compliant alternative to hexavalent chrome, mitigating health risks and environmental concerns associated with its use. With performance that exceeds customer requirements while extending component lifetime and a range of ecological benefits, HVOF technology is becoming increasingly popular in various industries as a viable alternative. By adopting HVOF coatings instead of hexavalent chrome, companies can enhance workplace safety, reduce environmental contamination, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Client feedback...

“I have been dealing with Nicol & Andrew (MSPE) for a number of years now and always find the team to be very helpful and always willing to do what is needed to help us achieve our goals and objectives. The team always look for innovative ideas to improve their processes, improve lead times, and pass on cost reduction ideas on our products where possible. Nicol & Andrew (MSPE) are a vital part of our processes, and we are delighted to work with them on our future orders to continue this success.”

Celeros | Operational Procurement Lead

“SLB have been using Nicol & Andrew for over 17 years now; they are our go to for HVOF Coating. They also have a great machining capacity allowing our tools to be brought back into spec once coated . currently working in the Oil & Gas industry and most of the work I send to Nicol & Andrew is repair parts. Nicol & Andrew have always obliged with this, there Quotation time, Collection / Delivery & Quality is second to none If I need a query answered or advice on any coating , William / Ronan are just a phone call away and are more than happy to help me out with any issues I may have.”

SLB | Sub-Contract Buyer

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with N&A for over 15 years, and they have consistently provided exceptional service and reliable delivery. Their team is professional, responsive, and always willing to go the extra mile to accommodate priority reworks or urgent requirements whenever possible. The quality of their HVOF coatings is consistently excellent, and their commitment to customer satisfaction has made them one of our most trusted and valued suppliers. It’s a partnership built on reliability, expertise, and mutual respect — and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.”

NOV | Regional Operation Manager