Hardide Coatings Ltd., which has developed a tungsten carbide-based coating for chrome replacement programs, has embarked on a three-year coatings approval test program with Airbus. The technology is also being tested by seven additional aerospace manufacturers.

The precision coating is designed to provide excellent wear resistance against abrasion, erosion and corrosion on components made from ferrous and nickel-based alloys. It coats internal surfaces and offers significant technical and environmental advantages over hard chrome and HVOF. Independent ASTM G65 testing has shown that Hardide wears out 40 times slower than abrasion resistant AR-500, 12 times slower than hard chrome and four times slower than thermal spray tungsten carbide.

The current primary market for the coating is the oil and gas exploration and production industry, where components coated with the technology are in widespread use in extreme downhole and drilling applications around the world. The coating is also in service in the valve, power, chemical and food manufacturing industries.

For more information, visit www.hardide.com.