Bodycote
Surface treatment specialist Bodycote has announced the addition of S³P ADM (Austenitic, Duplex, Martensitic) to its range of services in the United States, expanding the company’s Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S³P) portfolio and bringing advanced stainless steel surface hardening capability closer to North American customers.
The new US capability helps reduce transportation costs and tariff exposure for North American customers, while strengthening Bodycote’s global S³P network and adding operational resilience across its facilities.
The investment in ADM marks a significant expansion of Bodycote’s S³P offering at its facility in Mooresville, North Carolina. The new treatment vessel can accommodate components up to 79" (2m) in length and 47" inches (1.2m) in width, enabling the surface hardening of larger and heavier stainless-steel parts than previously possible in North America in industries such as oil and gas, food and beverage, and medical technology.
In addition to increased component size capability, ADM can treat martensitic alloys which are widely used in load-bearing and high-strength applications.
“Demand is growing for stainless steel components that can deliver longer service life in harsh operating environments and to demanding standards, without introducing the risks associated with coatings,” says Temitope Oluwafemi, Bodycote’s S³P Technical Manager, North America. “Bringing ADM capability to the US allows us to support customers locally, reduce lead times, and expand what’s possible for larger stainless-steel components across multiple industries.”
Performance advantages of ADM
ADM is a low-temperature, diffusion-based surface hardening process that significantly improves the surface hardness of stainless-steel components. Performed below 500°C, it helps maintain the corrosion resistance that makes stainless steel the material of choice for many demanding applications, while improving surface hardness and tribological performance.
Unlike coatings and plating, ADM doesn’t create a separate layer on the surface of the component. Instead, it forms a hardened diffusion zone within the material itself, meaning there is no risk of cracking, chipping or delamination in service. The process is also designed to preserve dimensional stability, enabling treatment of finished components without affecting part geometry or tolerances.
Bodycote has established expertise in ADM, based on more than a decade of delivering the process in Europe.