Our technologies

Bodycote’s purpose is to support our customers in producing superior components. Our thermal processing services encompass a variety of heat treatment techniques and specialist technologies that extend the life of components. Bodycote addresses the markets we serve with our exceptional service levels and unmatched ability to satisfy customers’ needs.

Specialist Technologies

Our Specialist Technologies business is a selection of highly differentiated, early-stage processes with high margins, significant market opportunities and appealing growth prospects. Our Specialist Technologies generally emit lower carbon emissions and, therefore, are better for the environment. Bodycote is either the clear market leader or one of the top players among a small number of competitors.

Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) Services Improves component integrity and strength by application of extreme pressure and heat.
HIP PF inc. Powdermet® Additive manufacturing of often complex components by combining with HIP.
Specialty Stainless Steel (S³P) Processes Improves the strength, hardness and wear resistance of stainless steel. Standard heat treatments negatively impact the corrosion resistance of stainless steel, but our proprietary S³P processes can provide dramatically improved material properties while maintaining corrosion resistance.

Surface Technology Enhances component life using ceramic and metal coatings.
Low Pressure Carburising (LPC) Obtains a hardened surface and a tough core under vacuum using a cleaner process than atmospheric carburising, providing improved wear resistance and fatigue life with less distortion.
Corr-I-Dur® (CiD) Improves corrosion resistance and wear properties and is primarily used as a sustainable substitute for hard chrome.

Classical Heat Treatment

Classical Heat Treatment is the process of controlled heating and cooling of metals to obtain the desired mechanical, chemical and metallurgical properties during the manufacturing of a product.

Product life is extended by accurately treating products, carried out in precisely controlled industrial furnaces that can heat to temperatures above 1000°C and use quenchants like oil, water or nitrogen gas to cool the heated material. During the process, the microstructure of the metal transforms, resulting in the hardening or softening of the material depending on the
process. Engineers can design thinner, lighter, but stronger components with the help of Classical Heat Treatment. The extended life of our customers’ products positively impacts the environment by reducing their carbon footprint.

We provide an indispensable set of processes within the manufacturing chain of most of the products used in daily life. By providing wear resistance, strength or toughness, depending on the application, the components we treat last longer, reduce downtime, increase the lifespan of the products our customers manufacture and improve the sustainability of their products. Surface hardness can be controlled by diffusing elements such as carbon and nitrogen into the metal during the heating stages of the process. The heat treatment of products impacts daily life, whether it’s a vehicle seatbelt buckle to ensure that it keeps the passenger safe during an accident or a turbine blade bringing power to your neighbourhood.