There are a number of HVOF guns which use different methods to achieve high velocity spraying. One method is basically a high pressure water cooled combustion chamber and long nozzle. Powder may be fed axially into the combustion chamber under high pressure or fed through the side of laval type nozzle where the pressure is lower. Another method uses a simpler system of a high pressure combustion nozzle and air cap. The compressed air pinches and accelerates the flame and acts as a coolant for the gun.
Powder is fed at high pressure axially from the centre of the nozzle.
The coatings produced by HVOF are similar to those produce by the detonation process. Coatings are very dense, strong and show low residual tensile stress or in some cases compressive stress, which enable very much thicker coatings to be applied than previously possible with the other processes. The very high kinetic energy of particles striking the substrate surface do not require the particles to be fully molten to form high quality coatings. This is certainly an advantage for the carbide cermet type coatings and is where this process really excels. HVOF coatings are used in applications requiring the highest density and strength not found in most other thermal spray processes.