Hydrogen embrittlement failures can show up as stress cracking, reduced load capacity, or corrosion. But it rarely happens because of one obvious mistake. In most cases, failure happens because of a series of small issues with surface prep, plating, and post-treatment. Preventing hydrogen embrittlement takes careful...
Coating thickness requirements are not just values pulled from a specification. They define how much material is actually there to protect the surface and whether that protection is applied consistently. And for aerospace and defense components, consistency matters even more. Variances can show up in inspection...
In high-performance industries like aerospace and defense, precision matters. Integrating ID/OD grinding with hard chrome plating not only adds value, it’s also a requirement for a reliable, long-lasting finished product. Grinding provides a smooth finish, maintains tight tolerances, and enhances wear resistance. It can even...
Coatings are more than just a finishing step. They protect metal components from corrosion, heat, and wear in unforgiving environments. Even a small coating issue can turn into a major problem. Performance drops. Parts wear out sooner than expected. In some cases, safety is compromised....
In aerospace manufacturing, small mistakes mean big problems. A slight variation in a process can cause performance issues, mechanical failure, or expensive rework. That is exactly why standards like NADCAP are treated as a requirement for metal finishing, not a preference. NADCAP standards set clear expectations...
Arizona has become a fast-growing hub for aerospace and defense manufacturing. The tight supply chain, strong military presence, ideal climate, and growing workforce draw many industry leaders to our state. CRC Surface Technologies is proud to be an AS9100- and NADCAP-certified, ITAR-registered company. But as a...
If you choose the wrong nickel plating process, you won’t always know right away. Everything might seem fine at first. But then wear starts to show up sooner than it should, or corrosion takes hold in places it shouldn’t. And by that point, you’ll have...
Oxidation is a chemical reaction triggered by exposure to oxygen in the air. Other types of environmental exposure will also speed up the process. Humidity, salt water, UV rays, extreme temperatures, and pollution can all accelerate oxidation. This reaction destabilizes the surfaces of metal parts,...
Finishing techniques like anodizing and electroplating can improve performance, durability, corrosion resistance, and more. For these reasons, many manufacturers keep using the same finishes they’ve always used. But what if there’s a better option? Every type of finish has its own specific advantages and drawbacks. Here’s...
Some defects show up immediately, but others don’t. A coating can look clean and uniform, yet still have weak points that lead to corrosion, wear, or premature breakdown once the part is actually put to work. And that’s the problem. A quick visual check might say...