New independent testing has proven that Hardide-A tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix composite coating improves the fatigue life of metal components by 4.5% compared to uncoated substrates.
Hardide-A also eliminates the need for costly secondary shot peening making the coating a significant advancement in materials optimization for the aerospace and other industries.
The tests were conducted by Westmoreland Mechanical Testing and Research Ltd (WMTR), an aerospace qualified testing laboratory in the UK and USA.
WMTR used the Rotating Bend Fatigue test method complying to BS ISO 1143:2010. This test is considered to be the most sensitive to the effects of surface treatment on fatigue properties.
Fatigue debit of surface-coated metals has been a long-standing problem for the aerospace industry – Hardide-A was developed specifically to meet the needs of the sector. This environmentally compliant and technically superior replacement for HCP and HVOF coatings provides enhanced protection against corrosion and chemically aggressive media, wear, galling, fretting and fatigue.
This enabling technology is proven to offer dramatic improvements in component life. This results in cost savings through reduced downtime and increased operational efficiency.
