---
title: "Plasma spray thin-film heaters - Request for information"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-47c694e2-d741-4e56-89fb-309c091579f4"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-47c694e2-d741-4e56-89fb-309c091579f4"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-47c694e2-d741-4e56-89fb-309c091579f4.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-47c694e2-d741-4e56-89fb-309c091579f4.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "UK ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY"
published: "2018-06-07"
---

# Plasma spray thin-film heaters - Request for information

Buyer: UK ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-47c694e2-d741-4e56-89fb-309c091579f4

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## Summary

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is currently in the planning stage for a tender titled "Plasma spray thin-film heaters - Request for information." This procurement falls under the industry category of metal-spraying machinery, with specific interest in the development of a high heat flux testing rig for nuclear fusion prototypes. Interested parties should note that the engagement end date is set for 21 June 2018, which is a key deadline for participation in the initial R&D phase. The procurement aims to identify suitable processes for applying thin-film heating elements through plasma spray technology, with project activity centred at the Culham Science Centre in Abingdon, England.

This tender presents a unique opportunity for businesses engaged in advanced manufacturing, particularly those specialising in coating technologies, mechanical appliances for spraying, and other relevant engineering solutions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would be particularly well-suited to compete, given the tender’s capabilities for in-house quality assurance and adherence to specific application tolerances. Companies that can demonstrate expertise in precision manufacturing and innovative thermal solutions are encouraged to approach the UK Atomic Energy Authority for potential collaboration.

## Notice

We are currently in the concept phase of a project to create a high heat flux test rig for the testing of nuclear fusion prototypes. As part of this overall project we intend to run a smaller R&D project into the viability of plasma spray-applied thin-film heaters as the method of heating the prototype components. In a sentence the heaters would consist of a spray-applied thin-film of electrically insulating material (e.g. Alumina), followed by a spray-applied thin film of high resistance metal (e.g. Nickel-Chrome) to create an electric heating element. In more detail, we aim to develop a process for directly applied thin-film heating elements for the testing of prototype parts at high heat flux, uniformly distributed over the surface. The heating elements will be created by applying two layers of material to the prototypes by plasma spray: 1. A thin (0.1-0.2mm) layer of electrically insulating material but relatively high thermal conductivity ceramic (e.g. Alumina) 2. A thin (0.075-1mm) layer of high resistance metallic alloy (e.g. Nickel-Chrome 80/20) to be used as a resistive heating element Key requirements of the process will be: * Ability to provide a range of thicknesses to allow different test scenarios * Tight tolerance on thickness required for each layer * Tight tolerance on uniformity of each layer over entire surface to ensure even heating * Repeatability of application * Adherence to the substrate at given thickness, specifically when under test conditions of high heat flux thermal cycling * In-house QA systems to confirm the above * Ability to apply to 1m2 items or larger * Ability to apply to non-uniform shapes Please make contact, if this is an area of interest for your organisation.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1ff5b893-78ab-4ff8-a761-21e599dc2ebc |
| Notice type | Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Not specified |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Jun 2018 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 21 Jun 2018 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY |
| Locality | ABINGDON |
| Post town | Oxford |
| Postcode | OX14 3DB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC |
| Local authority | South Oxfordshire |
| Electoral ward | Sandford & the Wittenhams |
| Westminster constituency | Didcot and Wantage |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 42 - Industrial machinery
- 44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

### Codes

- 42665000 - Metal-spraying machinery
- 42924700 - Mechanical appliances for projecting, dispersing or spraying
- 44113330 - Coating materials

## Release History

- 7 Jun 2018 at 15:07 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1ff5b893-78ab-4ff8-a761-21e599dc2ebc

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1ff5b893-78ab-4ff8-a761-21e599dc2ebc
  7th June 2018 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- http://www.ccfe.ac.uk/

## Provenance

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