Contributions of Surface Engineering to Military Equipment Maintenance

Abstract

In recent years, surface engineering technology has developed rapidly in China and has its unique position in government science and technology development plan. As an end user, the community of equipment maintenance has steadily focused on the latest progress of surface engineering technology and quickly introduces its achievements into equipment maintenance to improve the operational performance of weapon systems and supporting facilities. It was found during an investigation of maintenance techniques that surface engineering technology was widely used in military equipment maintenance and had made great impact for their effectiveness. Applications of surface engineering technology such as nano-surface, thermal spraying, bonding and coating, co-osmosis in maintaining and repairing airplanes, vessels, submarines, vehicles and artillery have greatly enhanced their capabilities to resist wear and tear, erosion and fatigue and dramatically improved their operational efficiency and effectiveness. Surface engineering technology has made significant contributions to maintain operational readiness of equipment and weapon systems which, in turn, has generated huge martial and economical profits.