Definition
A surface treatment process in which molten metal is atomized by a stream of compressed air or gas and propelled onto a prepared surface, where it cools and bonds to form a coating. In aviation maintenance, metal spraying is used to build up worn or undersized parts to restore dimensions, to apply protective coatings against corrosion or wear, and to repair damaged surfaces on engine and structural components.
Plain English
A repair and coating method where melted metal is sprayed onto a part's surface in fine droplets that harden into a solid metal layer.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance, overhaul, and repair records for parts that need a metal surface built back up or protected.
Why Pilots Care
Allows restoration of expensive components like crankshafts and propeller hubs instead of costly full replacement while maintaining airworthiness.
Analogy
Think of it like spray paint, but the 'paint' is molten metal that solidifies into a thin metal skin bonded to the part underneath.
Intuition Check
Metal spraying does not mean painting something with metallic-looking paint. It means applying actual metal particles to a part to make a metal coating.
Example Sentence 1
The worn cylinder was repaired by metal spraying, then machined back to its original dimensions.
Example Sentence 2
Metal spraying on the propeller blades added a protective layer against erosion during flight.