Hardide Coatings entered a partnership with Gardner Aerospace to coat key wing components for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft.
The Hardide CVD (chemical vapour deposition) nano-structured tungsten/tungsten carbide coating was selected after extensive testing by Airbus (Gardner Aerospace) and is replacing the hard chrome plating (HCP) that was previously used on these components. According to the company, the shift from HCP by Airbus is a response to the REACH regulations, which prohibit the production of HCP in the EU and UK starting September 2024.
The Hardide-coated components, which are critical to the operation of the flap mechanism, will be used on new-build A320s and as replacement parts for the existing fleet of aircraft during ongoing maintenance. Initial components are expected to be coated in June, with regular monthly volumes thereafter. Airbus is currently producing 50 A320 aircraft per month, with plans to increase this to 75 per month by 2026.
Hardide Coatings is currently coating similar wing components for the Airbus A330, A380 and A400M aircraft. All Airbus parts are coated at the company’s UK facility in Bicester, Oxfordshire.