Investments in heat treatment, HIP and additive manufacturing support help aerospace and defense customers scale production
- Investment delivers new vacuum heat-treatment equipment at Roselle facility in New Jersey
- Andover site in Massachusetts strengthens its specialist Powdermet and HIP-based metal densification capabilities
- Upgrades at Greenville in South Carolina result in more integrated post-processing services for metal 3D-printed parts
The program includes new vacuum heat-treatment equipment, expanded Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) capacity and additional specialist powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing support capabilities. These developments expand capacity and improve operational efficiency across several Nadcap-accredited facilities, helping aerospace and defense customers scale production, reduce supply chain complexity and meet demanding program schedules. They also form part of Bodycote’s broader program of capacity and capability expansion across North America, including the opening of its Fairfield, Ohio facility and the acquisition of Spectrum Thermal Processing.
“These investments reflect our ongoing commitment to the high-growth, high-value aerospace and defense sectors,” says Heidi McNary, President, Global Aerospace, Defense and Energy at Bodycote. “Heat treatment and thermal processing play a vital role in improving the properties of metals and alloys and extending the service life of mission-critical components. By investing in capacity and capability today, we are ensuring we can support customer growth for years to come.”
The investment includes installing a new two-bar, front-loading vacuum furnace at Bodycote’s Roselle facility in New Jersey. Vacuum heat treatment is performed in a controlled vacuum environment, preventing oxidation and contamination while enhancing the strength, durability and performance of critical metal parts.
The new furnace has completed installation and commissioning and is now available for customer production, increasing available capacity for aerospace, defense and industrial gas turbine programs while helping customers meet demanding quality, delivery and production requirements.
Meanwhile, Bodycote has also modernized its Andover facility in Massachusetts, strengthening its specialist Powdermet, product fabrication and HIP-based metal densification capabilities. The site designs and fabricates near-net-shape canisters used to contain powder metal before on-site HIP processing, helping customers produce complex, high-integrity components while reducing dependence on traditional casting and forging supply chains.
The Andover facility has undergone a lean transformation to remove under-utilized assets, improve workflow and free up space for future growth. These changes are helping accelerate turnaround times while positioning Andover as a strategic center for advanced powder metallurgy and densification services.
Bodycote has also made further investments at its Greenville, South Carolina facility, adding HIP and heat-treatment capacity. Strategically located in a growing US aerospace and defense region, the site provides specialist processing for high-performance metal components, including 3D-printed metal parts.
“Bodycote provides consistent, reliable and sustainable heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services from a network of accredited plants across North America,” adds Heidi McNary. “These investments strengthen our ability to support customer growth, providing the capacity, capability and technical expertise needed to meet the evolving demands of aerospace and defense programs.”
Bodycote will discuss these expanded capabilities with aerospace and defense customers at the upcoming Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from 20-24 July in the United Kingdom. Visitors can meet the Bodycote team in Hall 4, Stand 41111, to learn how the company’s thermal processing and specialist technologies support the performance, reliability, and efficiency of critical aerospace components.