Hardide gets funding for two aerospace projects

(Sharecast News) - Hardide Coatings has secured funding from the National Aerospace Technology Aerospace Programme for two projects to develop applications of its technology for aircraft components. The first project is to develop a grinding and super-finish technology for the company's Hardide-A coating. It is supported by Airbus, Perfect Bore Manufacturing Ltd and Engis (UK) Ltd.The second project seeks to develop an ultra-low temperature coating that will increase the range of aerospace substrate materials suitable for the Hardide coating process. Airbus and Leonardo Helicopters are end-users and Perfect Bore and Westmoreland Laboratories are support partners.Hardide is the lead partner on both projects, which will start on 1 September and will each take up to 18 months to complete.Philip Kirkham, Hardide's chief executive, said: "These grant awards were made after a rigorous application process and we will be working closely on the projects with our end-user customers. Both projects have the potential to expand significantly Hardide's aerospace business, widening the range of aircraft components and substrate materials suitable for our coating technology."NATEP is a £14.4m programme to support 40 technology projects involving up to 100 companies, universities and research organisations. It is sponsored by Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Bombardier, GKN (now part of Melrose) and Leonardo.