CTSR was established in 1996 through a 10 year multi-million dollar National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Center grant to enhance the fundamentals of thermal spray materials and technology. Through the NSF grant CTSR enabled major breakthroughs in process and materials science. By working closely with industry, CTSR has been able to relate many of these scientific development towards to the immediate needs of the industrial community.
Central to our outreach and knowledge transfer efforts is the Consortium on Thermal Spray Technology, which was initiated in 2002 and currently includes close to twenty five leading TS-involved companies ranging from powder / equipment manufacturers and coating applicators to OEM end-users. All members participate and formulate the annual pre-competitive research goals which are carried out by senior members of the CTSR staff, graduate students and post-docs. Consortium meetings are held bi-annually keeping membership abreast of milestones and achievements made in each research thrust. In addition, training workshops and classes are offered on the latest advances being made not only in thermal spray but surface engineering as a whole helping to raise awareness of other technologically important arenas.
Issues Tackled by Consortium Include:
- Interpretation of Process Diagnostics
- Development of Process Maps
- Powder Morphology Effects
- In-situ Measurements of Properties
- Reproducibility and Reliability Assessments
- Novel Testing Methods & Integrated Coating Characterization
