Abstract: A powder feeder system includes multiple electro-mechanical powder feeders structured for conveying powder compositions to a mixing hopper. A programmable logic control (PLC) can be incorporated into the multiple feeder system. The PLC can be programmed for determining a real-time powder flow rates for the powder feeders, receiving recipe data input related to creating a resultant coating composition, comparing powder composition flow rate data to the recipe data, and adjusting the operational aspects of motors and metering wheels associated with the multiple powder feeders in response to comparing the powder composition flow rate data to the recipe data. In various applications, the powder feeder system can be a subsystem of a thermal spray system configured for hardfacing and coating work pieces such as drill bits, road mills, shafts, mining tools, and/or stabilizers.

Abstract: Welding rods and associated cladded articles are described herein. Briefly, a welding rod comprises a hard particle component dispersed in a nickel-based alloy matrix or cobalt-based alloy matrix, the hard particle component comprising tungsten carbide particles having an average size of less than 45 ?m, and the nickel-based alloy matrix or the cobalt-based alloy matrix comprising at least one metal carbide forming element.

Abstract: In one aspect, nozzles for arc torches are described herein comprising refractory coatings for increasing nozzle operational lifetimes via resistance to weld splatter and the associated accumulation of molten metal deposits. In one aspect, a nozzle for an arc torch comprises a first body including a central bore and an exterior surface. A coating is adhered to the exterior surface by thermal spray, physical vapor deposition (PVD), or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the coating comprising a refractory layer including one or more metallic elements selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon and metallic elements of Groups IIIB-VIIIB of the Periodic Table and one or more non-metallic elements selected from Groups IIIA, IVA, VA, and VIA of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: Welding rods and associated cladded articles are described herein. Briefly, a welding rod comprises a hard particle component dispersed in a nickel-based alloy matrix or cobalt-based alloy matrix, the hard particle component comprising tungsten carbide particles having an average size of less than 45 ?m, and the nickel-based alloy matrix or the cobalt-based alloy matrix comprising at least one metal carbide forming element.

Abstract: A composite wear pad includes a substrate that is selected from the group of iron based alloys, steel, nickel based alloys, and cobalt based alloys. A hard particle-matrix alloy layer is bonded at a surface to the substrate. The hard particle-matrix alloy layer has a plurality of hard particles dispersed in a matrix alloy. The hard particle-matrix alloy layer has a thickness ranging between greater than about 13 millimeters and about 20 millimeters.

Abstract: A composite wear pad includes a substrate that is selected from the group of iron based alloys, steel, nickel based alloys, and cobalt based alloys. A hard particle-matrix alloy layer is bonded at a surface to the substrate. The hard particle-matrix alloy layer has a plurality of hard particles dispersed in a matrix alloy. The hard particle-matrix alloy layer has a thickness ranging between greater than about 13 millimeters and about 20 millimeters.

Abstract: In one aspect, articles are described herein comprising wear-resistant claddings. An article described herein, in some embodiments, comprises a metallic substrate and a cladding adhered to the substrate, the cladding including a metal matrix composite layer comprising at least one hard particle tile having a pore structure infiltrated with matrix metal or matrix alloy. Infiltration of the pore structure of the hard particle tile by the matrix metal or alloy can render the tile fully dense or substantially fully dense.