Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies Shot Peening and Engineered Coatings to Extend Performance of Aircraft Parts

Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies (CWST) provides surface treatments, including controlled shot peening, laser shock peening, as well as engineered coatings and material analysis for aerospace components to reduce maintenance and costs.

Corrosion and fatigue protection for aerospace applications

We specialise in protecting components from damage caused by extreme heat, corrosion, fatigue, and fretting through our range of services, which includes:

• Controlled shot peening
• Laser shock peening
• Shot peening forming
• Material analysis
• Engineered coatings, such as high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) and flame thermal spray systems, dry film lubricants, conformal parylene coatings and organic / inorganic coatings.

Surface treatments can be used in a variety of applications, such as airframe and aero-engine components, undercarriages, wings, actuator systems, bearings, and hydraulics, seat belt mechanisms and electronic circuit boards.

Surface protection for aerospace components

We offer a variety of surface treatment types that can be used to protect vital aerospace components from airframe and aero-engines, through to landing gears and electronics, including controlled shot peening which can be applied to prevent component failures from cracking and fatigue, shot peen forming which is used to create curvature in wing skins.

Our laser shock peening surgically places beneficial residual compressive stress up to ten times deeper than controlled shot peening.
Chemically assisted surface enhancement (CASE) isotropic superfinishing improves performance and lubrication in metal to metal contact, preventing wear, micro and macro pitting and noise and to reduce operating temperatures.

Our wide range of coatings includes HVOF, plasma and flame spray for the thermal protection of aero engine components, as well as Everlube® dry film lubricants and Parylene ultra-thin conformal coatings to protect against corrosion, chemical and environmental attack.

Worldwide dedicated surface treatment facilities

We have a network of global facilities dedicated to a particular process i.e. controlled shot peening, shot peen forming, laser shock peening, coatings and thermal spray featuring the latest technology and robotic equipment to meet the most stringent specifications. We can provide a single source for all surface treatments reducing costs and increasing turnaround times.

We have a dedicated team of designers to develop and manufacture our own robotic equipment and tooling to meet customer’s specific requirements, as well as general industry.

Repair, overhaul, and maintenance for ageing aircraft

A major role in maintaining the safety and integrity of our commercial, military, corporate and private aircraft fleets is the application of post manufacture engineered surface treatments and processes.

In addition to the modern technology we have in our dedicated facilities, we have also developed equipment specifically designed for on-site field work, with the object of automating the processes as much as possible.

We are able to achieve post manufacture surface treatments that are of a comparable quality to those applied as part of the production process.

Our experienced field crews can be mobilised at short notice for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft worldwide.

Industry and customer approvals and specifications

CWST prides itself on operating the highest level quality systems and procedures, and maintaining current industry specifications, such as ISO 9001:2008, NADCAP and AS9100 Rev C, as well as specific customer approvals.

Research and development of surface treatments

We work actively with associations and academia who are involved in research and development to further develop our services and products so that we continue to be the lead surface treatment provider.

About Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies

CWST has long history in the aerospace industry, dating back to the Wright Brothers and Glen Curtiss who merged to form the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in 1929.

Today, we continue to support our aerospace customers though our network of more than 70 international facilities, and on-site field teams, which can be mobilised worldwide at short notice.