California Air Resources Board

Thermal spraying is a process in which metals are melted and sprayed on a surface to form a coating.

Background

Other names for thermal spraying include:

• flame spraying
• metallizing
• hardfacing

The metals that are sprayed can be pure metals or alloys that are generally in the form of powders, wires, or rods. During the metal spraying process, air emissions can include metal fumes and small metal particles that may be toxic.

CARB is investigating whether the air emissions from thermal spraying need additional controls to protect public health.

Investigation and Regulatory Developments

• 15-Day Notice Package
• Advisory Notice of Administrative Change
• Thermal Spraying ATCM Regulation
• Compliance Advisory
• Regulatory Documents
• Thermal Spraying ATCM Fact Sheet
• Thermal Spraying Emissions Factors

Fact Sheets

• Thermal Spraying: A general overview of thermal spraying processes, the various applications used, and the types of industries currently using this method.
• Copper: A general overview of copper, the sources of emissions, the possible health effects, and CARB's activities.
• Hexavalent Chromium: A concise overview of this toxic air contaminant. The sources of emissions, possible health effects, and ARB's activities.
• Nickel: A description of this toxic air contaminant, the sources of emissions, the possible health effects, and ARB's activities.

Surveys

2004 Facility Survey

• 2004 Thermal Spraying Facility Survey - Final Report
• Thermal Spray Facility Survey Cover Letter - January 2004

2003 Materials Survey

• 2003 Thermal Spraying Materials Survey - Final Report

Note: The Thermal Spraying ATCM was originally codified in the California Code of Regulations, title 17, section 93102.5.

The Thermal Spraying ATCM was renumbered from section 93102.5 to section 93101.5.

This change allowed section 93102.5 to be used for modifications to a different regulation that appears in section 93102 (the "Hexavalent Chromium Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Chrome Plating and Chromic Acid Anodizing Operations".) The renumbering did not change any of the regulatory language or requirements in the Thermal Spraying ATCM. The renumbering was approved by the Office of Administrative Law in October 2006 as a change without regulatory effect.

Please contact The CARB Helpline at (800) 242-4450 with any questions regarding this matter.