Coatings

When developing an aeroplane or any type of aircraft, the research and development team examines the different conditions each part will face, such as temperature, changes in pressure, and atmospheric conditions through preparing a material sample. The material and the coatings are analysed through sectioning, mounting, grinding and polishing and finally verification samples to ensure it will meet stringent aerospace regulations.

The turbine, including the air veins and coatings on the aircraft, often must withstand very large temperature changes and is subject to sulphur oxides in the atmosphere, requiring them to be heat-resistant and chemically resistant. This appreciation gave rise to the use of coatings, especially on the turbine sections of an engine. Many of the coatings used contain Chrome (CrVI). REACH regulations were introduced in 2007 to protect the environment and human health. As CrVI is carcinogenic, this has spurred the development of chrome-free coatings.

These new coatings require extensive testing before they can be put into production. Part of this testing consists of carrying out full research of the material through Microscopy. Materialographic preparation aims to produce samples that provide an accurate and representative sample that can be used to confirm the manufacturing process or reveal any defects that may be present. The samples prepared for Microscopy will need a sufficient surface finish to report the analysis accurately and confidently. As aeroplane technology has advanced, so has the sample preparation technology. A change in the coating's composition provides an opportunity to reassess and refine the preparation methods. Explore Struers latest application notes below to discover the latest advice in preparing coatings for Aerospace.

Materials

Struers will ensure certainty in your sample preparation process, whether in a production environment or in your quality control laboratory. Our team will provide expert advice, equipment, and consumables for sectioning, mounting, grinding, polishing, and verification of materials. Explore our latest application notes on preparing material samples for aircraft turbines, titanium, aluminum, and stainless steel. For a deeper dive on titanium, see how to prepare titanium pages for how-to guides, videos, and additional tips.

Fasteners

Explore the very latest in specialist sample preparation laboratory equipment, consumables, and proven methods for the metallographic preparation of fasteners. Regardless of whether you are looking for your aerospace quality control laboratory or your production floor, this fasteners application note provides advice for every step of the sample preparation process. Whether you need to train a new team member, check an existing method or learn the latest advice for fasteners in aerospace.

Case studies

Struers is a global leader in providing equipment, consumables, and advice in the aerospace industry. We provide proven sample preparation methods for aerospace laboratories and production environments around the world. We are the partner of choice across the industry. Explore our latest customer case studies from the Aerospace industry below.

Coating lab set up

Discover how to enhance your laboratories overall productivity with our team's suggested lab setup for your laboratory.

Struers is a trusted provider for aerospace companies, offering equipment, consumables, and expert advice in preparing samples for the aerospace industry. This is your guide to selecting the perfect laboratory setup for those preparing coatings samples ready for verification or analysis. In the demanding aerospace/defence industry, efficiency is paramount. Our equipment is engineered to optimise every aspect of your sample preparation process. By selecting Struers as a partner, you will maximize uptime, minimize waste, and improve the speed of results across your quality control and/or production departments.

To retain flatness and assure a good mate­rial removal rate, fine grinding is preferably done with diamond on a composite fine grinding disc. For ceramic coatings the fine grinding disc MD-Allegro is recommended, and for metal coatings MD-Largo.