Vital thermal processing solutions for the aerospace and defence industries

Leading the industry in engineered specialist technologies and thermal processing solutions… With a long serving history, Bodycote is partner to the leading aerospace companies. We deliver thermal processing solutions to improve functional performance and protect aerospace components from wear, abrasion, corrosion and high temperature environments. Count on us to solve your complex component challenges. Thermal processing is a vital part of manufacturing processes and includes a variety of techniques and specialised engineering processes which improve the properties of metals and alloys and extend...

Bodycote offers an extensive and unique range of heat treatments and specialist technologies to improve the performance and longevity of components for the aerospace industry. Our services provide thermal processing solutions across a wide range of applications which include general aviation; commercial, business and military aircraft; commercial and military helicopters, space and repair and rejuvenation of components. MILITARY AIRCRAFT ■propulsion # • ^.Ejector seat ■ Airframe In addition to thermal processing services for newly manufactured components, Bodycote can provide component repair...

Touch Down - Landing Gear Safety critical landing gear must perform without fault every time the aircraft flies. A combination of thermal processing techniques is used to ensure the steel’s material properties are optimised and to protect it during its working life. Traditionally, the landing gear has been surface treated using hard chrome plate, but this is now being superseded by more environmentally friendly thermal spray processes, which provide extreme wear and corrosion resistance.

Alloy Ti billet is forged to shape. The part is heat treated to desired properties. A thermally sprayed surface treatment is applied to replace hard chrome plate for improved wear and corrosion resistance. The component is surface machined using diamond tools due to the extreme hardness of the surface finish. Denotes the parts of the component journey undertaken by Bodycote

Solutions for your every need Our aerospace solutions include Heat Treatments, Hot Isostatic Pressing and Surface Technology. HEAT TREATMENT Bodycote is the market leader in the vacuum heat treatment of aerospace components such as precision cast turbine blades. Controlled atmosphere heat treatment, case hardening or through hardening and tempering of components such as flap tracks, landing gear parts, flight control items and similar airframe and structural components, represent a significant proportion of the heat treatments carried out by Bodycote for aerospace manufacturers. Vacuum heat treatment:...

SURFACE TECHNOLOGY Bodycote can provide surface technology solutions for a range of properties including wear control, corrosion resistance, thermal efficiency, and conductiveness to protect against lightning strikes. Without these surface treatments, today’s aircraft components would not operate to the required standards. Our surface technology solutions extend component life, act as a thermal barrier to reduce material operating temperatures and improve engine efficiency. Key solutions: HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) Combustion spray Electric arc wire Liquid coatings – ceramic slurry spray,...

Our quality meets your standards We maintain the highest production standards for quality, safety and efficiency, holding an extensive list of accreditations from key global customers, platforms, and standard agencies across all market sectors. Bodycote holds all relevant international and national aerospace quality accreditations – such as Nadcap, ISO 9001, OHSAS18001 and ISO 14001 – as well as those of all the major aerospace companies, having preferred supplier status with many major aerospace companies, including Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, GE, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce. Customers...

The restrictions on chrome plating due to health and safety and environmental issues have led to major aerospace companies embarking on initiatives to replace it. Aerospace companies have highlighted thermal spray coatings as the preferred replacement for chrome plating. Bodycote has been involved in a number of initiatives to replace chrome plate and results have shown that, in addition to the environmental benefits, thermally sprayed tungsten carbide based coatings outperform hard chrome plate for both wear and corrosion protection. Modern thermal processing techniques have allowed design engineers...

Safety Critical Service - Engine Shaft The main drive shaft in a civil aircraft engine is a safety critical component. In service, part failure could mean disaster. Thermal processing is essential to ensure this part has the necessary material properties to operate effectively, keeping the aircraft in the air.

Rough machining is carried out, usually to within 1/16th inch of the final part size. The component begins life as a steel bar from which a forging is made. The forged shaft is hardened and tempered to give the correct tensile strength. The part undergoes final machining and grinding. Areas that do not require surface hardening are masked using bronze, tin or copper plating, and the shaft is then gas nitrided at a temperature not exceeding the stabilising temperature. This diffuses nitrogen on to the surface to provide high hardness and excellent wear resistance. Post-nitriding, the plating and...

Operating an international network of facilities and serving a wide range of industries, Bodycote is the world’s largest and most trusted provider of thermal processing services – a vital link in the manufacturing supply chain. Bodycote Springwood Court Springwood Close Tytherington Business Park Macclesfield Cheshire United Kingdom SK10 2XF Tel: +44 (0)1625 505300 Email: [email protected]