Unlocking the Benefits of Silicone Masks 

In the thermal spray industry, the masking method significantly impacts the efficiency and quality of the coating process. Several types of masking are commonly used to protect areas from being coated: tape masking, silicone mask, metal or ceramic mask and curable masking resin. 

None of them is universal, so the choice of a masking method must be carefully considered, taking into account factors such as process temperature, part geometry, abrasion from gritting and spraying particles, coating coverage tolerances, thickness range, and plenty others… 

Silicone masks offer numerous advantages that make them a preferred option for cost and productivity:

• High-Temperature Resistance: Silicone masks can endure some of the temperatures involved in thermal spray, ensuring they remain intact and effective throughout the process.
• Reusability: Unlike traditional masking tapes, silicone masks are reusable, reducing waste and lowering overall costs. Their durability allows them to be used for multiple cycles, making them a cost-effective solution.
• Precision and Quality: Custom-moulded silicone masks fit specific part geometries, ensuring precise coverage and protection of areas that should not be coated. This results in improved quality and consistency in the finished product.
• Ease of Use: These masks are easy to apply and remove, streamlining the masking process and reducing labour costs. Their flexibility and custom fit also minimize the risk of application errors.
• Enhanced Performance: Silicone's properties enable it to resist wear, abrasion, and oxidation, common challenges in the thermal spray process. This robustness enhances the masks' performance and longevity, making them suitable for grit blasting.
• Ease of Maintenance: With the right silicone composition, the masks do not require cleaning and can be reused immediately, saving time compared to metal or ceramic masks which require extensive maintenance/stripping.
• Complex Shapes: Silicone masks can be created in any shape, with inserts added for rigidity if needed.
• Waste Reduction: Silicone masks generate less waste compared to tape. At EPS-TS, we can repair and reload your worn silicone mask, ensuring it never ends up in the bin.

By incorporating silicone masks into thermal spray operations, companies can achieve higher efficiency, better quality control, and significant cost savings.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further insights on how silicone masks can improve your thermal spray operations! 

At EPS-TS, we specialize in the design, manufacturing, and repair of silicone masks.