AERO-HVAF provides Hybrid High‑Velocity Air‑Fuel (H‑HVAF) coating equipment that serves as a cost‑effective, environmentally compliant alternative to chrome plating and traditional HVOF for aerospace components. Their torches deliver high‑throughput, dense carbide‑based coatings with superior wear, corrosion and impact resistance for landing‑gear, hydraulic, turbine and structural parts, reducing material costs and processing time.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Landing gear and other aerospace components traditionally rely on chrome plating or conventional HVOF thermal spray coatings, which involve high material costs, long processing times, and regulatory restrictions such as the EU REACH ban on hexavalent chromium. These limitations increase production expenses and hinder compliance for aircraft manufacturers and maintenance providers.
Solution
Aero-HVAF offers Hybrid High‑Velocity Air‑Fuel (H‑HVAF) coating equipment that combines the high particle velocity of HVOF with the low‑oxygen, low‑porosity benefits of HVAF. By feeding a mixture of oxygen, compressed air, and hydrogen (or propane) into the combustion chamber, the process achieves high melt and densification while reducing oxide formation, resulting in dense, low‑porosity, high‑bond‑strength coatings. The equipment family includes static, rotating, and compact torches capable of coating internal diameters as small as 4 inches and large external surfaces, with powder feed rates up to 33 kg/h—over six times faster than typical HVOF systems. Integrated control consoles and touch‑screen tablets provide precise process monitoring and parameter adjustment, enabling consistent wear‑, corrosion‑, and impact‑resistant carbide‑based coatings for landing‑gear wheels, brakes, hydraulic parts, turbine components, and structural airframe elements. This faster, air‑based process reduces operating costs, eliminates the need for expensive oxygen, and complies with environmental regulations, offering a practical alternative to chrome plating.
Target Audience
Primary customers are aerospace OEMs, landing‑gear manufacturers, and approved thermal‑coating subcontractors seeking a cost‑effective, high‑performance alternative to chrome plating and traditional HVOF processes.
Features
- Hybrid HVAF torches (static, rotating, compact) delivering up to 33 kg/h powder feed for high‑throughput coating of both internal and external surfaces
- Adjustable oxygen, hydrogen, and compressed‑air mixture to tailor coating density, porosity, and bond strength for specific aerospace applications
- Low‑oxygen flame reduces oxide formation, producing dense, low‑porosity carbide and cermet coatings with superior wear and corrosion resistance
- Integrated control console with operator tablet and touch‑screen interface for real‑time process monitoring, parameter control, and data logging
- High‑velocity air‑fuel combustion enables coating of deep‑bore diameters as small as 4 inches (101 mm) and large‑area components with uniform thickness
- Compatibility with a range of powder feed systems, including high‑pressure rotary feeders and automatic pressure‑relief valves
- Proven cost advantage over HVOF by using air and propane instead of costly oxygen and hydrogen fuels