PTA-PST Technology: Advanced Tungsten Carbide Surface Hardfacing for Extreme Wear Resistance
In industries where components are exposed to severe abrasion, impact, and high operational loads, surface protection is no longer optional—it is critical. PTA-PST (Plasma Transfer Arc – Postposition Surfacing Welding Tungsten Carbide) is an advanced surface enhancement technology that represents a major leap beyond conventional wear protection methods. At FNS Pipeline Technology Co., Ltd., PTA-PST technology is applied to deliver long-lasting, high-performance hardfacing solutions for pipeline tools, drilling components, and heavy-duty industrial parts operating under the harshest conditions.
PTA-PST plasma transfer arc tungsten carbide hardfacing process by FNS Pipeline Technology Co., Ltd
What Is PTA-PST Technology?
PTA-PST is an innovative hardfacing process that uses a high-energy plasma transfer arc as the heat source. Through a fully automated and precisely controlled process, high-purity tungsten carbide particles are deposited in a postposition manner onto the surface of the base material.
This unique approach allows the tungsten carbide particles to be uniformly and densely embedded into the molten metal matrix, forming an ultra-strong, wear-resistant protective layer. The result is not just an improvement in surface durability, but a fundamental upgrade in wear protection philosophy.
Performance Beyond Traditional Hardfacing Methods
Compared with conventional techniques such as weld overlay, thermal spraying, or mechanical carbide insertion, PTA-PST hardfacing delivers comprehensive performance advantages across multiple dimensions.
1. Exceptional Wear and Impact Resistance
- Superior abrasion resistance
The PTA-PST overlay achieves extremely high hardness and outstanding resistance to abrasive wear, significantly extending component service life compared with traditional surface treatments. - Outstanding impact toughness
The postposition process enables a strong metallurgical bond between the tungsten carbide particles and the substrate. This eliminates the risk of particle detachment commonly seen in inserted carbide methods and provides excellent resistance to impact and mechanical shock.
2. Fully Automated Process with Crack-Free Results
- Full automation for consistent quality
Automated PTA-PST welding ensures repeatable results, stable quality, and higher production efficiency—critical for large-scale industrial applications. - No spatter, no surface cracking
Precise energy control minimizes spatter during welding, while optimized parameters reduce internal stresses within the overlay. This effectively prevents surface cracking and delivers a very high acceptance rate.
3. Ultra-High Hardness: HRC 68–75
The hardfacing layer produced by PTA-PST consistently reaches HRC 68–75, providing reliable protection even in the most aggressive wear environments such as drilling, mining, and pipeline construction.
4. Thick Protective Layer: 3–5 mm Overlay
With a single-layer thickness of 3–5 mm, PTA-PST offers substantially thicker protection than many traditional methods. This translates into longer service intervals, fewer replacements, and reduced operational downtime.
5. High Tungsten Carbide Content: Up to 75%
A tungsten carbide content of up to 75% ensures that the wear-resistant layer is densely packed with hard particles, delivering maximum abrasion resistance across the entire surface.
6. Lower Total Cost per Component
Although PTA-PST is a high-end surface engineering solution, it delivers a significantly lower total cost per component. Longer service life, reduced maintenance frequency, minimized downtime, and competitive processing costs together achieve true cost efficiency for FNS customers.
PTA-PST Applications at FNS Pipeline Technology Co., Ltd.
FNS integrates PTA-PST technology into the manufacturing and refurbishment of wear-critical components, including:
- Pipeline stabilizers and drilling tools
- Wear sleeves and flow-control components
- Heavy-duty industrial parts exposed to extreme abrasion
By combining advanced plasma transfer arc expertise with strict quality control, FNS delivers reliable, long-life hardfacing solutions that outperform traditional wear protection systems.
