Overview
EN ISO 14917:2017 (identical to ISO 14917:2017) is a CEN-adopted international standard that defines terminology, classification and abbreviations for thermal spraying. The standard establishes common, harmonized terms for thermal spray processes, sprayed coatings, equipment, process variations and technological properties. It supersedes EN 657:2005 and was prepared by ISO/TC 107 in cooperation with CEN/TC 240.
Key topics
The standard provides authoritative, non-ambiguous definitions and classifications useful for specifications, procurement and technical communication. Major topics include:
- Scope and normative references - framing the context for terminology and classification.
- Terms and definitions - general terms, process-specific terms and coating-specific terms (e.g., spray particle, splat, spray deposit).
- Process classification:
- By type of spray material (wire, powder, suspension, etc.).
- By type of operation (manual, mechanized, automatic).
- By type of energy carrier (combustion, plasma, electric arc, kinetic gas).
- Abbreviations - standardized short-forms for spray processes, coatings and manufacturing steps.
- Process descriptions - concise descriptions of common thermal spray processes, including:
- Flame spraying (wire and powder)
- High-velocity flame spraying and detonation spraying
- Cold (gas) spraying
- Arc spraying
- Plasma spraying (atmospheric, suspension, chamber)
- Water-stabilized and induction plasma variants
- Plasma transferred arc (PTA) surfacing and laser cladding
- Equipment and parameters - definitions for spray gun/torch, nozzle, contact tube, powder feeder/injector, wire feed mechanism, spray distance/angle, spray velocity, deposition rate, deposition efficiency, masking and post-treatments.
Practical applications & users
EN ISO 14917:2017 is targeted to professionals who need consistent terminology and process classification across industries that apply thermal spray coatings:
- Coating engineers and process designers selecting and specifying spray processes.
- Quality assurance and inspection teams producing test and acceptance criteria.
- Procurement and contract writers using standardized terms in technical specifications.
- Maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) operations in aerospace, power generation, oil & gas, automotive and manufacturing.
- Standards bodies, trainers and researchers developing training materials, test methods and technical publications.
Using the standard helps reduce ambiguity in technical documents, improves communication between suppliers and clients, and supports consistent reporting of process parameters (e.g., spray distance, deposition rate, coating condition).
Related standards
- Supersedes EN 657:2005.
- Developed by ISO/TC 107 in collaboration with CEN/TC 240.
