Coating is approved for Eurofighter components

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 28, 2006

Hardide's ultrahard tungsten carbide, chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coating has been approved by BAE Systems for use on components for the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Hardide Coatings has secured formal approved supplier status from BAE Systems for the use of its unique ultrahard tungsten carbide, chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coating on components for the Eurofighter Typhoon.

This is the first aerospace sector approval for Oxfordshire-based Hardide.

The company has developed a patented tungsten carbide surface engineering technology which combines abrasion, erosion, friction and chemical resistant properties in one coating.

The coating is now approved for use in the production of the Typhoon canopy.

Hardide's customers include leading international companies in the oil and gas, valve and pump sectors.

Hardide coated components are in use in oil and gas fields and installations, chemical refineries, power plants and food manufacturing facilities around the world.

The company floated on AIM in April 2005 with a GBP 1.75 million funding.

Jim Murray-Smith, Chief Executive of Hardide, said: "The aerospace industry is a natural fit with our technology as it requires high precision components to perform in extreme conditions where optimal performance is critica"l".

Hardide's antigalling and wear resistance properties can solve abrasion, erosion and corrosion issues while offering cost savings due to extended component life and the reduced need for part replacement and costly downtime".

"BAE Systems is Europe's largest defence company and a top 10 US defence company".

"This approval represents a tremendous breakthrough for us in a sector where there is enormous global potential for the Hardide technology".