Surface Technology will be closed Monday 19 September
On Monday 19 September 2022 – the day of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral – the nation gathers to […]
COVID-19: Important Customer Announcement
All Surface Technology locations are currently open and staffed to support our customers in these challenging times. We are continuing […]
Quaker Houghton Acquires Operating Divisions of Norman Hay plc
Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) has closed its previously announced acquisition of the operating divisions of Norman Hay plc, a private UK company that provides […]
Quaker Houghton to Strengthen Portfolio and Capabilities with Acquisition of Operating Divisions of Norman Hay plc
Quaker Houghton (NYSE: KWR) has announced it has agreed to acquire the operating divisions of Norman Hay plc, a private UK […]
Don’t miss Surface Technology at Offshore Europe 2019
If you’re attending Offshore Europe 2019, be sure to visit us on stand 2K60i to discover how you can optimise offshore […]
Surface Technology Leeds Awarded TechnipFMC Approval
Following a comprehensive series of site audits and operational assessments, Surface Technology Leeds has achieved a new approval from oil […]
The role of protective coatings in maintaining our wind turbines
With thousands spanning the landscape and clustered around our shoreline, wind turbines are an integral source of renewable energy for […]
World’s fastest shark inspires new material for improved aerodynamics
What makes the Shortfin Mako the world’s fastest shark? Scientists at Harvard University believe it could have a lot to […]
What exactly is the circular economy and what role can surface engineering play?
The circular economy is a concept of sustainable consumption, driven by an industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by […]
The role of surface engineering in increasing machining performance with nickel-based alloys
Nickel-based alloys offer a variety of benefits thanks to the high strength at increased temperatures, chemical resistance and wear resistance […]
Powder coating – the importance of masking and jigging to achieve high quality and dual coat finishes
Powder coating is a process that is carried out by thousands of companies throughout the UK. Fast, cost-effective and available in […]
How we’ve simplified one leading machining customer’s supply-chain for a fast, consistent and high-quality surface finishing service
Glasgow-based Q-Mass provide machining services for a variety of manufacturers, largely in the oil and gas industry. Operating several Mazak […]
The three types of anti-corrosion coatings explained
Anti-corrosion coatings provide a robust level of protection against corrosion for components operating in highly corrosive environments. The options for […]
Electroless nickel plating – everything you need to know
Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP) is the deposit of a nickel-alloy coating by chemical reduction – without the electric current that’s […]
Keeping food production on the go
Food manufacturing is a continuous, fast-paced production environment where quality and product safety are paramount. In our latest case study, […]
Engineering a better supply-chain – get the optimum surface finishing partner
Precision and quality are two key elements to any successful machining operation but all that can very quickly be undone […]
Customer satisfaction reaches new heights
Last month we ran our customer satisfaction survey. Open to all Surface Technology customers, we saw a healthy response from […]
Dragonfly wings inspire new anti-bacterial nano-coating
Researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), in Singapore, have developed a new coating that kills 99.9% […]
Introducing sol-gel ceramic coatings – the hybrid ceramic coating with excellent heat resistance and non-stick properties
Sol-gel coating systems are a hybrid of organic and inorganic chemistry, otherwise known as ceramic coatings, that is free of […]
Why use copper plating?
Copper plating offers a variety of benefits due to its malleability, conductivity, corrosion resistance, lubricious and anti-bacterial qualities. Copper plating […]
Happy National PTFE non-stick coating day
National PTFE non-stick coating day is an occasion where the whole nation gets together to celebrate the non-stick properties […]
Why use electroless nickel plating?
Incredibly tough against wear and corrosion, electroless nickel plating is a highly effective plating solution that can be applied […]
Coating for manufacturing success: The importance of coatings to minimise downtime and maximise efficiency for commercial food processing equipment
Every loaf, biscuit and cereal bar is only as good as the ingredients and equipment that go into making […]
New research into the impact of melting will help improve sprayed metal coatings and increase volume of remanufactured components
The surprise conclusion of new research into the impact of melting on metal bonding is expected to help expand the […]
As Formula E season four is go, go, go discover how we’re helping automotive engineers innovate for the next generation of electric drivetrain technology
The fourth season of Formula E sparked into life on Saturday in Hong Kong. A fully-electric race series, Formula E […]
Beetleback: The coating that combines outstanding corrosion protection and unique iridescent finish
Beetleback, also known as Armourcote 3300, is a non-toxic electrodeposited coating developed by Surface Technology. An alternative to zinc, Beetleback […]
Plasma coatings provide a robust solution to managing friction for cylinder bores
Friction generated by moving parts within engines can have a significant impact on engine performance. To maximise engine efficiency and […]
Coating innovation set to help make London to New York in two hours a reality
We all want things faster but while many modes of technology and transport continue to advance, commercial air travel has […]
The steps to reducing medical device lifecycle cost through surface treatment
Lifecycle costing (LCC) takes a long term, universal outlook on the costs for manufactured products to help provide a better […]
The importance of lifecycle costing when manufacturing components for sheet material, paper and textile manufacturing
Lifecycle costing is typically overlooked when manufacturers weigh up surface treatment options but in doing so the most effective options […]
The engineering story behind the world’s first floating wind farm
Hywind, a £190m project to create a floating wind farm 15 miles off the coast of Aberdeenshire, reached a significant […]
Unique nano-fabricated metamaterial will protect pilots from laser beams
MetaAir, a nano-fabricated metamaterial is an innovative new material that’s set to protect pilots from laser beams. As a flexible […]
Engineering Crossrail
One of the biggest and most complex engineering projects ever undertaken, Crossrail is undoubtedly an engineering marvel. The first completely […]
Could the lightest solid on Earth be the future of battery power?
Graphene aerogel is officially the lightest solid material on the planet. A super-light, elastic and absorptive substance, aerogel’s characteristics could […]
Non-stick, corrosion resistant, wear protective: How do you make sure you get the best result?
Engineering and manufacturing something for a car, plane, train, computer, power plant and countless other applications is tough. Engineering and […]
Collaboration is key to driving automotive manufacturing forward
We explore the value of taking a collaborative approach to automotive manufacturing. Our Operations Director, Andrew Courtney, recently contributed to […]
Britpop, Friends, Nintendo Gameboy and…Electroless Nickel Plating
The 90s was a decade of Britpop, Friends and the Nintendo Gameboy but it was also a period of continued […]
Why Earth Day marks an opportunity for engineers and manufacturers to re-evaluate
As Earth Day 47 is marked on Saturday 22 April, now is a good time to rediscover the role manufacturers […]
Surface engineering for deep-sea mining: Gearing up for a mineral rush of Oceanic proportions
Rich in precious metals and minerals, the seafloor is becoming increasingly attractive as a resource for prospective mining operators. Offshore […]
Discover the remarkable new spray-on coating that’s self-healing, water-repellent and ultra durable
Discover the remarkable new spray-on coating that’s self-healing, water-repellent and ultra durable Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed […]
Metallurgical considerations for medical device manufacture
When designing and developing medical devices and equipment it’s integral to understand the metallurgical potential of different coating and plating […]
UK manufacturing needs to realise the value in remanufacturing to catch up with US and Chinese counterparts
UK manufacturing has come a long way but manufacturers still have some distance to go if they’re to catch up […]
Shake, whack and squeeze no more: The science behind the new super-slippery coating that will make sure you get every last drop of ketchup
Life is full of few certainties other than death, taxes and having to shake, whack and squeeze your ketchup bottle […]
Rediscover Brush Plating
Brush plating, or selective plating, is a fast, targeted method of electroplating without the use of an immersion tank. For […]
Insect biomimicry may lead to a new wave of high-grade, lightweight plastics
A new wave of performance materials for the aerospace and automotive sectors may be round the corner thanks to the […]
How Siemens have put the ‘Manufacturing’ into Additive Manufacturing this week
Siemens have put the ‘manufacturing’ into additive manufacturing this week, as the company announce their breakthrough in successfully 3D printing […]
Engineering Hyperloop
Hyperloop is being touted as a revolutionary new method of travel but what is the engineering story behind Hyperloop and […]
Discover the newly developed material that’s lighter than a plastic carrier bag but 10 times stronger than steel
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a new material that can be as thin as a […]
Improving safety, efficiency and extending the service life of valves
Valves are critical to the safe and efficient operation of plants worldwide but corrosion, erosion and valve seizure are an […]
Engineering Santa’s Sleigh
In just a matter of days Santa Claus will set off from Lapland in his famous red sleigh. Laden with […]
The top 5 greatest engineering innovations of 2016
2016 will go down as the year of the unpredictable; from Brexit to Trump, Leicester City to the Chicago Cubs, […]
The art and science of enhancing material aesthetic and performance
Corrosion, wear, friction and porosity are the core challenges that effective coating and plating services overcome. But improving the longevity […]
Precision engineering demands precise plating and coating solutions – how you can deliver even better results for your customers
A precision engineered product demands a similarly precise approach to its coating or plating. There are plenty of businesses throughout […]
Metal foam presents an exciting new material for engineers to explore
Metal foam is a zinc-aluminium-silver alloy which is said to be able to stretch up to 100 times its original […]
Aircraft MRO: How engineers are innovating to deliver faster, more responsive and effective MRO services
The number of aircraft in service reached approximately 23,900 in 2015 but the demand is not expected to slow – […]
Nanoparticle coating absorbs light like a black hole in outer space
Imagine a coating that consumes light, something so black it’s as if you are staring into a void of nothingness […]
Automotive coating solutions: Preventing wear in tight tolerances and high temperature environments
There are a number of automotive components that operate within tight tolerances and high temperature environments. Effective surface engineering is […]
225 years of Faraday
Today marks 225 years since the birth of one of the world’s most influential scientists, Michael Faraday. Born in London […]
NASA, coating technology, and the lotus leaf phenomenon
NASA researchers are testing a new lotus leaf-inspired coating to repel bug residue and increase aircraft efficiency. It only takes […]
Why it’s time to REACH for HVOF as your hard chrome replacement
Hard chrome plating is a proven method of improving the durability, wear, hardness and anti-corrosion characteristics of metal and alloy […]
Exciting new nanoparticle research findings could be the catalyst for change in emissions-control and fuel cell technology
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made an exciting discovery that has the potential to significantly reduce […]
From Gigafactories to gigantic wind turbines; the role of surface engineering in the advancement of renewable technology
Tesla’s gigafactory and the recent production of the world’s largest wind turbine blade are just two renewable energy items to […]
Mould release – 5 reasons to stop using release agents and move to fluoropolymer coatings
The challenge of generating and maintaining non-stick surfaces is ever present in many industrial applications and manufacturing environments. Release agents […]
How to protect and extend the life of offshore oil and gas equipment: The benefit of HVOF Thermal Spray over Weld Cladding
Offshore rig operators in the UK, and the oil and gas sector as a whole, is operating in a tough […]
The dolphin effect: how surface engineering is innovating aerospace engineering
Farnborough International Airshow, one of the biggest events in the aerospace calendar, takes place this week and the issue of […]
Your opinion matters
It’s that time of year again; BBQs are being dusted down, Wimbledon is round the corner and it’s the annual […]
5 reasons why a visit to SUBCON is not complete without dropping by stand J22
This time next week Subcon, the UK’s only trade show dedicated to manufacturing supply chain, subcontracting and outsourced engineering services […]
Engineering a better supply chain: Expect more from your metal finishing partners
Throughout the manufacturing supply chain; from OEM through tiers 1, 2 and 3 there are suppliers who excel by delivering […]
Fostering an environment of oil and gas collaboration: Five key takeaways from last week’s oil and gas surface engineering seminar
Last week we hosted an oil and gas surface finishing seminar in Aberdeen, titled: Providing a New Lease of Life […]
Earth Day: An Engineering Perspective
Today it is Earth Day; the 46th year of a movement dedicated to raising awareness of environmental issues and channelling […]
How to protect offshore equipment and extend operating life: Subsea Drilling Equipment
North Sea Oil and the oil and gas sector as a whole is operating in a tough market environment at […]
Require plating and surface coating services? Here’s 5 reasons why you should visit Surface Technology on stand 5974 at MACH next week
1. Get Insight: Whether it is corrosion, wear, electrical conductivity, heat, aesthetics or a combination of the above, we are […]
Easter – a time when food and beverage production ramps up and effective surface engineering comes into its own
Easter, the second busiest period for the food and drink industry is upon us and many food and drink manufacturers […]
Innovate how you protect your offshore equipment and extend operating life: Subsea Valve Applications
North Sea oil and the oil and gas sector as a whole is operating in a tough market environment at […]
Innovate how you protect your offshore equipment and extend operating life: Christmas Trees
North Sea oil and the oil and gas sector as a whole is operating in a tough market environment at […]
What is biomimetics and how can it help shape surface engineering for the better?
The wonders of the natural world have long been a major source of inspiration for engineers; from Mercedes-Benz analysing fish […]
The Flying Scotsman – an engineering marvel is reborn today but how has surface engineering evolved for modern day rail rolling stock?
This morning, following a 10-year £4.2m restoration project, the Flying Scotsman is taking to the tracks once more for its […]
Love your sub-contract surface coating supply chain
Manufacturers are only as good as their supply chain. A sweeping statement but one that is widely acknowledged by leading […]
Five reasons to visit Surface Technology at Southern Manufacturing
Southern Manufacturing commences next week but if you are one of those walking around FIVE in Farnborough between 9th and […]
The Land Rover Defender: A timeless example of British engineering excellence
The last Land Rover Defender will roll off the production line at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull plant today. An iconic […]
At $28 per barrel, repair and refurbishment of offshore equipment cannot be overlooked
With the price of oil hitting a 13-year low of $28 per barrel this week we are looking at ways […]
Graphene: The super coating for strength and corrosion-resistance?
Graphene is a manmade material that was discovered by two professors at the University of Manchester in 2004. A mere […]
CES 2016: An Industrial Engineering Perspective
The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is underway in Las Vegas this week, a show which largely showcases cutting edge […]
Exploration of nanotechnology for surface coatings could lead to a host of surface engineering innovations
Five technology centres are investigating coatings that give new properties to an array of commonly used materials, including; plastics, metals, […]
What is the difference between medium and high phosphorous electroless nickel plating?
Electroless nickel plating provides excellent wear, corrosion and chemical resistance for a wide range of metals, including; aluminium, copper, stainless […]
The importance of surface engineering for automotive components operating in areas with limited lubrication
Piston rings, skirts and pins are often coated with hard wearing, low friction coatings to aid initial running-in followed by […]