Commercial jet

Bodycote is partner to the leading aerospace companies. As their platforms progress through product life cycles, our service offering and technical expertise advances with them, through changes in material utilisation as well as geographic shifts in production.

Landing gear

Critical landing gear must perform without fault every time the aircraft flies.  The safety of the crew and the passengers depend on it. The nature and position of this critical component demands both strength and high resistance to wear and corrosion to fulfill design requirements.

Combinations of thermal processing techniques are used to ensure these characteristics are achieved. Heat treatment is performed to change the properties of the materials, allowing the parts to endure their harsh punishment.  Environmentally friendly thermal spray processes such as HVOF have superseded traditional coating methods to aid corrosion and wear resistance properties.  Typical treated parts include:

• Trunnion
• Wheels
• NLG
• MLG
• Brakes
• Screw shafts
• Ball joints

Engine

Aircraft engines are designed and built to work in extreme conditions and meet the ever changing environmental legislations.  Engine materials used frequently operate at temperatures approaching their melting point – the use of controlled thermal processing allows these parts to operate reliably at high temperatures for extended periods of time.

Thermal processes such as heat treatment, HIP, and surface technology all contribute in preparing the engine for its serviceable life.  Typically treated parts include:

• Front bearing housing
• Exhaust ducts
• LP turbine blades
• IP turbine blades
• HP turbine blades
• Turbine guide vane
• Aft fan case
• LPT stator
• Compressor assembly
• Main shaft
• Stub shafts
• Seals
• Bearings
• Air ducts
• Oil pipes

Structure

The integrity of an airframe structure and its associated components is paramount not only for the protection of the passengers, but also to cope with the ever changing environment for which they are exposed.

Corrosion resistant materials are used in areas where strength and resistance to the elements are mandatory. Aluminium and titanium are used in areas where strength and lightness is a priority. Heat treatment thermal processes are carried out in order to fulfill the required material properties and design requirements.

• Airframe
• Horizontal stabiliser
• Wing keel
• Fan duct
• Side body
• Hinge
• Engine nacelle
• Engine mount
• Cowling
• Door locks
• Rivets

Actuation and control

The ability of a pilot to control and safely fly an aircraft relies on how the actuation and control system operates and allows the aircraft to respond to their commands.  Due to the complex nature of the parts and the materials involved, some form of thermal processing is required.

The joining of intricate hydraulic pipes and actuators using thermal processes such as vacuum brazing and electron beam welding enables designers to utilise the latest technologies available to them when designing new components.

• Reverse thrust actuator
• Flap track
• Hydraulic pipe