Applications and Contributions of Physics to the Surface Treatment Process of Materials Part I: Thermal Spray Processes

The objective of these two works is to show how a series of principles and concepts of Physics are applied (which are taught in the areas of Basic Sciences in Engineering careers), in various processes that are used to modify the surface of materials and thus provide them with improved properties particularly related to wear, fatigue and corrosion resistance, with the purpose that engineering students have greater evidence of practical applications and, therefore, of the importance of Physics for development of these technologies. As an example, in this first article, the Thermal Spray processes are presented and it is shown how Physics concepts are applied and have a prominent role both in the design and in the construction of the equipment with which they are made, as well as in the own generation of surface treatments. This is intended to give a sample and evidence the usefulness of Physics in this type of process to both students and teachers.