Spraytime

It has been a remarkable year in the thermal spray (TS) industry. Not only was 2024 filled with growth in legacy markets but also in emerging markets. It has been exciting to be involved in so many projects that not only benefit from TS coatings but, for some, would not have been possible without them. And 2025 is shaping up to be a great year as well.

Having just wrapped up our 2024 ITSA Annual Business Meeting, held at AWS Headquarters in Doral, Fla., I would like to thank all those who attended, presented, and helped plan this event. The two-day meeting was held in association with AMPP. The first day was filled with informative presentations centered around the theme of corrosion protection. The second day started with an update from the AWS C2 Committee on Thermal Spray presented by C2 Chair Daniel Hayden. It was followed by member company updates, the ITSA Annual Business Meeting, and a tour of the impressive and soon-to-expand Florida International University’s Cold Spray and Rapid Deposition lab.

In 2025, ITSA plans to hold a symposium centering around the topics of heavy equipment, mining, agriculture, and overhaul. The location and timing for the symposium will be announced in the coming months.

To help promote the thermal spray industry and increase value to our members, moving into 2025, each member of the ITSA executive board will be chairing subcommittees focusing on the following areas: Membership – Jim Ryan; Planning (events) – Ashley Hunsaker; Governance – Bill Mosier; Education – Ana Duminie (tentative); SPRAYIME – Kirk Fick; and Scholarship – Mollie Blasingame.  We welcome and encourage member participation in these committees. If you are interested in participating, please contact any of the chairs or ITSA Program Manager Adrian Bustillo (abustillo@aws.org) for additional information.

Finally, I would like to thank all our members for their continued support and wish you all the best for the coming year! 

ITSA MISSION STATEMENT

The International Thermal Spray Association (ITSA), a standing committee of the American Welding Society, is a professional industrial organization dedicated to expanding the use of thermal spray technologies for the benefit of industry and society. ITSA invites all interested companies to talk with our officers and company representatives to better understand member benefits.

OFFICERS

Kirk Fick, chair, Cincinnati Thermal Spray Inc.

Ashley Hunsaker, vice chair, HTS Coatings

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

(above officers plus the following):

Mollie Blasingame, Superior Shot Peening & Coatings

Ana Duminie, North American Höganäs

Jim Ryan, TechMet Alloys

David A. Lee, David Lee Consulting LLC

Bill Mosier, Polymet Corp.

ITSA SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

ITSA offers annual graduate scholarships. Since 1992, the ITSA scholarship program has contributed to the growth of the thermal spray community, especially in the development of new technologists and engineers. ITSA is very proud of this education partnership and encourages all eligible participants to apply. Visit thermalspray.org for criteria information and a printable application form.

ITSA SPRAYTIME

Since 1992, ITSA has been publishing SPRAYTIME for the thermal spray industry. The mission is to be the flagship thermal spray industry publication providing company, event, personnel, product, research, and membership news of interest to the thermal spray community.

JOIN ITSA

Membership is open to companies involved in all facets of the industry — equipment and materials suppliers, job shops, in-house facilities, educational institutions, industry consultants, and others.

Engage with dozens of like-minded industry professionals at the Annual ITSA Membership Meeting, where there’s ample time for business and personal discussions. Learn about industry advancements through the one-day technical program, participate in the half-day business meeting, and enjoy your peers in a relaxed atmosphere complete with fun social events.

Build awareness of your company and its products and services through valuable promotional opportunities: a listing in SPRAYTIME, exposure on the ITSA website, and recognition at industry trade shows.

Plus, ITSA Membership comes with an AWS Supporting Company Membership and up to five AWS Individual Memberships to give to your best employees, colleagues, or customers. Visit aws.org/membership/supportingcompany for a complete listing of additional AWS benefits. For more information, contact Adrian Bustillo at (786) 937-9595, or itsa@thermalspray.org.

For an ITSA Membership application, visit the membership section at thermalspray.org.