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Hydrogen

A multipurpose gas for the metals and materials processing industry

Hydrogen is used in metals & materials processing to reduce metal oxides and to prevent oxidation during heat-treating processes and metal powder production. Hydrogen is used in high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) processes for generating high heat, low oxidation and high particle velocities. It can also be used as a process gas in atmosphere plasma spray applications. Our applications engineers can help you select a supply system to meet your pressure and volume requirements.

Air Products offer liquid hydrogen and compressed hydrogen gas in a variety of purities and various modes of supply around the world thanks to our network of storage and transfill facilities.

​Air Products is a World-Leading Hydrogen Supplier

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Extensive pipeline supply network

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Industry leader in safety

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World-class customer service

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Reliable and secure supply

Ask the Expert

Mark Lanham
Mark Lanham

Applications Engineer, North America

What are the advantages of using hydrogen as the fuel gas versus traditional hydrocarbons for HVOF operations?

There are only a few types of fuels used for combustion in traditional HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) systems, i.e., hydrogen, kerosene, methane (natural gas), propane and propylene. While each fuel has some distinct advantages, hydrogen offers some unique advantages:

  • Because of its higher thermal conductivity, hydrogen achieves the best heat transfer from the flame to the powder particles despite having an overall lower flame temperature in comparison with the conventional hydrocarbon fuels.
  • The performance of the HVOF process depends on the type of fuel, stoichiometric ratio, and combustion pressure, as well as gun design features. The ability to run rich hydrogen flows creates a reducing atmosphere, which lowers oxide production and further improves the quality of the coating.
  • Due to the complete combustion of the stoichiometric reactants of hydrogen and oxygen, there are no unburned residuals deposited on the coating.
  • In addition, hydrogen can be delivered at sufficient pressures in tubes and bulk liquid tanks that do not require heating pads during the winter months in order to assure sufficient fuel flow to your HVOF booth.

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