Thermal spray aluminum (TSA)

Thermal spray aluminum (TSA) is a metallic coating where aluminum wire is melted by flame or electric arc and sprayed onto blasted steel, building a sacrificial barrier that protects against corrosion in marine and high-temperature service. It is widely specified on offshore topsides, risers, and splash-zone steel and on exhaust and process equipment, since aluminum both shields the steel and acts galvanically at damage points. TSA needs a coarse white-metal blast (typically Sa 3) for adhesion and is usually sealed with a thin organic sealer. Applied thickness is commonly 200 to 300 microns. Standards include ISO 2063 and NORSOK M-501 system 2 for thermally sprayed metallic coatings.