Advanced surface coating technology company, Hardide Coatings has been awarded funding from Innovate UK to further study the flexural behaviour of the Hardide chemical vapour deposition (CVD) coatings under high static and cyclic loading conditions.

The funding has been awarded under Innovate UK’s Analysis for Innovators (A4I) Round 9 programme and will enable the company to understand better the influence of key coating characteristics on performance when subject to high static and cyclic loading conditions.

This will enable the optimization of the coating to solve technical challenges encountered in the power generation and hydrogen production and distribution sectors. In turn, this will support the UK’s Net Zero ambition while reducing waste generation and pollution through the development of longer-lasting equipment resistant to Hydrogen attacks and reduced servicing, downtime and part replacement.

The study will be carried out in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and is expected to be completed by spring 2024.

Dr. Yuri Zhuk, Technical Director of Hardide Coatings said: “A more comprehensive understanding of the flexural performance of the Hardide CVD coatings will enable us to develop the coating to expand the range of suitable applications, particularly in the hydrogen and power generation sectors. The funding from Innovate UK, and the expertise and facilities at NPL, means we can undertake the work now and generate dependable design data that we and our customers can use to determine the potential in various high value manufacturing sectors.”

Hardide Coatings develops, manufactures and applies advanced technology tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix coatings to a wide range of engineering components. Its patented technology is unique in combining in one material, a mix of toughness and resistance to abrasion, erosion and corrosion; together with the ability to coat accurately internal surfaces and complex geometries. The material is proven to offer dramatic improvements in component life, particularly when applied to components that operate in very aggressive environments.

Customers include leading companies operating in the energy sectors, valve and pump manufacturing, industrial gas and steam turbines, precision engineering and aerospace industries. The company has manufacturing facilities in the UK and U.S.