In this edition, find out about the careers of our graduate work-study students, our participation in Mecanic Vallée business meetings, and a focus on thermal spraying, a strategic process for improving the durability and performance of industrial parts.

A moment of conviviality

On July 25, CITRA organized its summer company dinner, a special moment of sharing and relaxation for the entire team.

This year, we had the pleasure of welcoming our neighbors from SAFIR, with whom we share the building. It was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the ties between our organizations and to exchange ideas in a friendly setting.

Summer break before the start of the new school year

CITRA took a summer break in August to allow our teams to recharge their batteries.

This break allowed us to prepare for the start of the new school year with energy and motivation to meet the needs of our customers and tackle the challenges of the coming months together.

➡️ We are now fully available to assist you with your projects. To contact us, just click here: contact form

End of work-study program and new horizons

Recently, three of our work-study students, who arrived in 2023, obtained their BUT Physical Measurements degree—specializing in Materials and Physico-Chemical Control—from the Limousin University Institute of Technology. We congratulate Loane Denis, Matys BEAUFRETON, and Jean-Baptiste Cournil for their achievements and commitment to CITRA.

👉 We are delighted that Jean-Baptiste Cournil will be continuing his adventure with us by signing a permanent contract as a thermal spraying technician. This is a great success that illustrates our desire to train and integrate new talent.

👏 Congratulations to each of them for the next stage of their professional careers!

A look back at our participation in the Mecanic Vallée business meetings

The start of the new school year marked the return of trade shows and professional meetings for CITRA.

📅 On September 30, 2025, characterization project manager Julien Fougeyrollas represented CITRA in Brive at the 27th edition of the Mecanic Vallée business meetings.

This event brought together key players from the industrial sectors and was a great opportunity to showcase our expertise, strengthen our exchanges, and share our views on the technological challenges of today and tomorrow.

Thank you to the organizers and participants for the quality of the discussions and meetings.

Optimizing the performance of industrial parts by increasing the durability of materials is a major challenge for companies. In a context of increased competitiveness and energy transition, manufacturers are looking for solutions that enable them to increase the added value of their products while reducing their maintenance costs and environmental impact.

Among these solutions, thermal spraying is an essential process.

What is thermal spraying?

Thermal spraying encompasses a set of surface coating processes designed to improve the properties of parts in use.

Principle: fine particles of a material are melted and sprayed onto a previously prepared substrate (sandblasting, cleaning). They are deposited and spread, solidifying to form a succession of layers, creating a dense, adhesive, and protective coating.

Note: thermal spraying is not limited to metals. All types of materials can be sprayed as needed: ceramics, ceramic-metal (cermets), polymers, composites, etc.

Technologies available at CITRA

CITRA has expertise in thermal spraying processes, each of which can be adapted to specific requirements:

  • Powder flame spraying: Versatile and economical.
  • HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel): Dense coatings with high wear resistance.
  • Wire arc: Metal deposits, high thickness.
  • APS (Atmospheric Plasma Spraying): Process particularly suited to ceramics and technologically advanced coatings.
  • Cold Spray: is also part of our technological capabilities, with a team dedicated to this process.

The characteristics of the coatings vary depending on the process used, the type of powder used, and the substrate material. Although porosity, adhesion, and thickness may vary, these characteristics are typically within the ranges shown below for each process.

CITRA knows how to define the choice and adapt the use of processes according to customer requirements thanks to its team of specialists in the field. They will support you through all phases of your process development, from proof of concept to pre-industrialization (from TRL 3 to 8).

These processes protect, reinforce, and extend the service life of equipment in extreme conditions: high temperatures, corrosion, abrasion, mechanical shocks, and aggressive chemical environments..

Concrete and measurable benefits

Thermal spray coatings provide effective protection. Among other things, they:

  • extend the service life of parts,
  • reduce energy consumption,
  • limit maintenance operations,
  • promote more environmentally friendly processes.

A concrete example: thanks to certain types of thermal barrier coatings, aircraft engines can operate at higher temperatures, which increases their combustion efficiency and reduces weight and pollutant emissions.

Hardness (Vickers hardness, Hv) is one of the essential mechanical properties of coatings, as it partly determines the service life of parts. Like adhesion, porosity, and roughness, it can vary depending on the process used, the powder deposited, and the substrate material.

Examples of hardness obtained depending on the type of coating:

  • Tungsten carbide with cobalt-chromium matrix by HVOF spraying 800 to 1800Hv(0.3).
  • Amorphous metallic glasses 600 to 900Hv(0.3).
  • Ceramic coating by plasma spraying 150 to 1900Hv(0.3).

Robotics for complex parts

Since the 1980s, the integration of robotics into thermal spraying processes has opened up new possibilities for industry.

It guarantees control over the positioning and trajectory of the torch, ensuring uniform deposits of consistent quality, even on surfaces with complex geometries.

Robot control is based on the analysis and control of numerous process parameters: heat flow, fluid flow rate and temperature, deposit thickness, etc. This approach optimizes spraying conditions and adapts the coating to the functional constraints of each part.

This automation offers multiple benefits:

  • Repeatability and reliability: precision and reduced quality variations.
  • Deposit optimization: precise control of spraying speed, angle, and distance.
  • Treatment of complex geometries: easier access to difficult areas.
  • Safety and productivity: reduced operator exposure and faster production rates.

Thanks to this control, it is possible to efficiently process parts with complex geometries, thereby strengthening the competitiveness and innovation of manufacturers.

Industrial applications: from aircraft engines to centrifuge screws

Thermal spraying is used in many sectors: aeronautics, automotive, marine, energy, textiles, biomedical, etc.

Some concrete examples:

  • In electronics, thermal spraying allows copper traces to be quickly deposited on circuit boards, reducing water and chemical consumption.
  • In heavy industry, hydroelectric turbines, naval structures, and coal-fired boilers benefit from increased service life and reduced maintenance requirements.

 

A technology of the future

Thermal spraying is a process that combines cutting-edge technology and versatility.

Although often invisible at first glance, it is essential for more durable, efficient, and high-performance equipment, and is becoming a strategic lever for the industries of tomorrow.