TTT GROUP

TTT Group offers a wide range of thermal and surface treatments, as well as complementary finishing operations.

As a service company, it provides its clients with comprehensive management of their needs in the treatment of parts, bringing the optimal solution in the choice and combination of technical solutions for their products.

The main markets they serve are Aeronautics and Automotive, but they also have a significant presence in the wind energy, solar thermal, machine tool, capital goods, paper, railway, oil & gas sectors, etc.

In a world in which environmental challenges are increasingly evident, sustainability has become a central issue and improving materials is key. Although stainless steels are corrosion resistant, they need to be more durable and efficient.

“TTT Group faces the challenge of improving the performance of stainless steels, the material used in many components for different applications. Treatments that improve the strength of steels are available on the market but, these treatments tend to destroy the corrosion resistance of the material.”says Oihane Larrañaga, Manager of Thermal Treatments at TTT GROUP.

“To make the steels more wear resistant, last longer and perform more efficiently, a treatment had to be developed that would maintain the corrosion resistance properties of stainless steel.” indicates Doctor Engineer Iñigo Braceras, Surface Engineering Researcher at TECNALIA.

For this reason, we have worked with TECNALIA to develop a specific treatment applied to stainless steels using active screen plasma nitriding technology.

“To develop and evaluate the process, we have set up an ad hoc “pilot plant” in collaboration with TTT Group. This pilot plant consists of a laboratory facility similar to the TTT industrial facility but on a smaller scale, where the treatment is developed under controlled conditions. Using this process, the treatment can be applied at a temperature lower than usual so as not to destroy the stainless nature of the steel”, coments Iñigo Braceras.

In this way, they provide the component with the necessary strength without compromising its corrosion resistance. Once the evaluation process has been completed, this technology is transferred from TECNALIA’s pilot plant to TTT GROUP´s industrial facilities.

The project has generated a very positive dual impact both economically and socially. The development of this treatment not only enhances the competitiveness of TTT Group and the European industry with cutting-edge treatments, but it is also more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, thus helping to preserve the planet and support a more sustainable economy.