Successful development of titanium coating
03 März 2009 - 8:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMHDD
RNS Number : 1731O
Hardide PLC
03 March 2009
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| Press Release | 3 March 2009 |
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Hardide plc
("Hardide" or the "Group")
Hardide announces success in coating of titanium
Hardide plc (AIM:HDD), the provider of unique metal surface engineering
technology, is pleased to announce that it has successfully developed a process
to enable the Hardide coating of titanium - a strong but light, high-performance
metal commonly used in the aerospace, defence and Formula 1 motorsport
industries.
The Group has made a significant technological breakthrough by developing a
coating process specifically for titanium. In February 2009, the Group
successfully coated its first titanium components for customers in the UK and
US, as well as a number of its own test samples. Components manufactured from
titanium can now benefit from the unique wear, abrasion and chemical resistant
properties of Hardide.
This development gives Hardide access to the global titanium thermal spray
coatings market estimated to be worth GBP100 million per annum. The Group
estimates that Hardide-suitable niche applications in the UK alone are worth
GBP10 million annually.
Titanium is lightweight and offers a combination of mechanical strength and
chemical resistance but it suffers from intense galling (severe adhesive wear)
which limits its use. Attempts to solve the galling issue by traditional
coating methods such as titanium surface oxidising, spray coatings and plating
have not provided a reliable solution. Coating with Hardide has shown an
excellent load-bearing capacity with an absence of galling and wear, even under
high load. Furthermore, Hardide demonstrates strong coating adhesion and doesn't
require grinding to finish. Due to its unique combination of benefits, a range
of new engineering designs will become possible.
The titanium project has been in research and development for five years but it
was fast-tracked to success following the formation last year of the
Applications Development Group; part of the strategy adopted to ensure a more
focused and commercially-oriented approach to the allocation of resources and
development of new applications in the short to medium term.
The Group also announces that it is having constructive discussions with its
major customers with regard to receiving firmer forecasts and an announcement
will be made, as appropriate, in due course.
Graham Hine, Chief Executive Officer of Hardide plc said: "This is a
tremendously exciting and notable development. Titanium is a technically
challenging material that is often used in performance-critical high
temperature, load-bearing and weight sensitive environments that are ideally
suited to Hardide's unique combination of wear resistant properties.We are now
processing small scale commercial applications for customers and plan to treat
regular batches of volume parts later this year.
"We have been working with customers in the UK and US to develop the process and
have had particular interest from companies in the aerospace, defence and
Formula 1 industries."
Hardide Coatings Ltd., the Group's UK business has also successfully completed
stage 1 of the aerospace industry standard AS9100 certification with full
certification scheduled for 2009. This certification is essential for aerospace
manufacturing and will enable Hardide to move to commercial operations with many
more blue chip companies in this sector.
- Ends -
For further information:
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| Hardide plc | |
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| Dr Graham Hine, Chief Executive | Tel: +44 (0) 1869 353 830 |
| Jackie Robinson, Head of Communications | |
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| jrobinson@hardide.com | www.hardide.com |
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| Seymour Pierce Limited | |
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| Nicola Marrin | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7107 8000 |
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| | www.seymourpierce.com |
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Media enquiries:
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| Abchurch | |
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| Chris Lane / George Parker | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7398 7719 |
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| george.parker@abchurch-group.com | www.abchurch-group.com |
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Notes to editors:
Hardide manufactures and applies tungsten carbide-based coatings to a wide range
of engineering components. The Group's patented technology provides a unique
combination of ultra-hardness, toughness, low friction and chemical resistance
in one coating. When applied to components, the technology is proven to offer
dramatic cost savings through reduced downtime and extended part life.
Customers include leading companies operating in oil and gas exploration and
production, valve and pumps manufacturing, general engineering and aerospace.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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