NEP provides production-scale thermal spray coatings and component restoration for aerospace, defense, and power generation programs. Four spray processes. In-house machining, grinding, and metallurgical testing. NADCAP accredited. Every job documented and certified before it ships.
Four coating processes — plasma, HVOF, arc wire, and flame — applied to spec across production volumes for aerospace and defense.
Worn or out-of-tolerance components restored to original specification — thermal spray buildup, precision grinding, and full certification.
In-house surface preparation and post-spray machining — one facility, one quality system, no second vendor.
In-house testing and metallurgical evaluation to verify every lot meets your program requirements before it ships.
Our certifications, processes, and documentation meet the standards these industries require.
Organized and equipped for repeat programs — same process, same team, same results, lot after lot. Your program schedule is not a one-off for us.
Every production run moves through certified processes with inspector oversight at each stage. Nothing ships until it's verified.
When you call, you reach the people responsible for your program. Not an account manager. The team.
Serving aerospace and defense programs since 1988. The same standards, the same commitment — at whatever volume your program requires.
Tell us about the component, the specification, and the volume. We'll tell you exactly how we can help.
Four things drive the way we work. They haven't changed.
Most of our clients have been with us for years — some for decades. That's not something we take for granted. It means the people handling your job already know your standards, your preferences, and what matters most to you. You're not re-explaining yourself every time. You have a contact who picks up the phone and follows through. We think that's what a real working relationship looks like.
If a part has been turned away somewhere else, that's usually when we get the call. Unusual geometries, demanding specifications, tight tolerances, processes that require more than one capability under the same roof — these aren't exceptions for us, they're the work we do every day. We don't look for reasons to say no. We look at what the part actually needs and figure out the best path to get there.
Good coatings don't happen by accident. Every material choice, every process parameter, every step in surface preparation affects the final result — especially in aerospace and defense applications where there's no margin for error. Our team knows this work at a deep level. We ask the right questions before the job starts, document everything while it's in progress, and don't sign off until the results match the specification. Not approximately. Exactly.
We've been doing chrome replacement through thermal spray long before it became a compliance requirement. Hard chrome plating is effective — it's also toxic, heavily regulated, and increasingly restricted. Thermal spray alternatives match or exceed its performance without the environmental cost. We hold REACh compliance, and we've been recognized with Green Circle Awards from the State of Connecticut for our environmental practices. For teams that track supplier sustainability, we have the documentation to back it up.
When you send a part to New England Plasma, you're not dropping it into a black box. You'll know exactly what happens to it, who is responsible for it at every stage, and what documentation comes back with it when it ships.
Every part that comes through NEP moves through trained specialists, with inspector oversight at each stage. Nothing moves forward until it's verified. Here's the full sequence.
Tell us about the part — the material, the application, the environment it operates in, and any specifications or OEM requirements. We'll recommend the right process and provide a detailed quote before anything moves.
Once approved, your job enters our production schedule. We'll confirm lead time, discuss any special handling requirements, and coordinate pickup or delivery. You'll have a point of contact from here through completion.
When your parts arrive, they're inspected before anything begins. We document the condition of every part on intake — dimensions, surface condition, any existing damage — so there's a clear record from day one.
Proper preparation is as important as the coating itself. Depending on the specification, this may include grit blasting, grinding, masking, or undercutting. Every step follows the process specification exactly.
Parts are coated using the process specified for the application — Plasma Spray, HVOF, Twin Wire Arc, or Flame. Our technicians follow the specification exactly, documenting every parameter throughout the process.
For jobs requiring post-spray grinding or precision finishing, that work is done here — in the same facility, by our team. Tolerances are held to specification and verified before the job advances.
Every job goes through our metallography lab before it ships. Coating thickness, adhesion, porosity, and microstructure are evaluated and documented. If something doesn't meet specification, we address it here — not after it's in your hands.
You receive full documentation with every job: process records, inspection results, and certifications to applicable standards. For NADCAP-scope work, documentation follows NADCAP requirements. Nothing ships without a complete package.
Parts ship with documentation included. If you have questions after delivery, the same contact who managed your job is still your contact.
When you call NEP, you reach someone who knows your program and can give you a straight answer. Many of our principals have been clients for years. They call us directly because we pick up and we follow through.
Specialists who know what they're doing. Inspectors who make sure of it. Honest communication throughout. Documentation that holds up to audit. The same standards on every lot.
New England Plasma was founded in October of 1988, by Peter and Maureen Olshewski in Putnam, Connecticut. From day one, the business was built on a straightforward belief: do the work right, take care of the customer, and the rest will follow.
What has changed is everything around it.
Over more than three decades, the industry evolved — new technologies, new markets, new demands. NEP evolved with it. A facility expansion in 2003 brought additional capacity. Investment in new spray processes, in-house grinding equipment, and metallurgical testing expanded what we could take on. The certifications required to serve aerospace and defense programs — NADCAP, FAA, EASA — were pursued because the work required it, not because they made good marketing material.
There's a version of this business that could have grown into something much larger. NEP made a different choice — and it's one they stand behind.
"We are big enough to do the job. We are not so big that our customers aren't serviced well."
That distinction matters. When you call NEP, you reach people who know your parts, know your program, and are personally accountable for the result. That's not scalable in the way a larger operation might be. It's also not replaceable.
Every job that moves through our shop moves through specialists — people trained in their discipline and proud of the work. That pride isn't incidental; it's what produces consistent results at production volume.
Long-term clients tell us the same things: we communicate well, and we do quality work. We'll take both.
We take care of our people, and most of them stay. That continuity — of knowledge, of standards, of relationships — is one of the things that separates NEP from a larger operation where turnover is routine.
We strive to do the very best we can. We always have. It's not a marketing position — it's fundamental to how this company was built and how it operates.
The people who work at NEP care about the work. We care about our team. And we care about the customers who trust us with their parts.
That's the company Peter and Maureen built. That's the company we run today.
You know your component better than anyone. Choose the performance requirement you’re solving for and we’ll show you exactly how we approach it.
Parts exposed to moisture, chemicals, salt air, or oxidizing environments break down from the outside in. Thermal spray coatings create a dense, well-adhered barrier between the substrate and whatever it’s operating in — extending service life without changing part geometry.
Surfaces that operate under friction, abrasion, or erosion wear down over time. HVOF-applied tungsten carbide and chromium carbide coatings deliver hardness levels that outperform many hard-faced or plated alternatives — extending component life significantly.
Components in or near combustion environments are exposed to temperatures that exceed the limits of the base material. Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) insulate the substrate, protecting against thermal fatigue. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is the industry standard material.
MCrAlY alloys and other high-temperature metallic coatings protect the surface from oxidation, scaling, and degradation at elevated temperatures. Used extensively on hot-section aerospace components.
Alumina (aluminum oxide) applied by Plasma Spray produces a dense ceramic layer with high dielectric strength and good thermal stability. Used to electrically insulate metal components in generators, motors, and electronic assemblies.
Hard chrome plating is one of the most heavily regulated industrial processes in use today — hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen. HVOF-applied tungsten carbide and chromium carbide coatings match or exceed the hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of hard chrome without the hexavalent chromium. New England Plasma has been performing chrome replacement work for aerospace and defense programs for years and holds REACh compliance.
Thermal spray can build up a worn or undersized surface, which is then precision-ground back to the original dimension and finish specification. New England Plasma handles both the coating buildup and the post-spray grinding in-house — one job, one point of accountability.
Tell us about the component and what it needs to do. We’ll figure out the right approach.
Air Plasma Spray uses a controlled plasma arc operating above 15,000°C to heat and accelerate ceramic or metallic powder onto the substrate. The result is a dense, well-adhered coating capable of extreme temperature resistance and precise functional performance.
NEP applies APS to AMS, OEM, and customer specifications across production programs — from thermal barrier coatings on turbine blades to dielectric coatings on electrical components.
Materials: YSZ, alumina, MCrAlY alloys, chromium carbide, tungsten carbide
HVOF accelerates coating particles to 300–600 meters per second before surface impact — producing exceptionally dense, low-porosity coatings with superior bond strength. It is the process of choice for wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and chrome replacement applications.
HVOF-applied tungsten carbide and chromium carbide coatings consistently outperform hard chrome in wear resistance, bond strength, and corrosion resistance — and are qualified under AMS 2447 for chrome replacement on aerospace and defense components.
Materials: WC-Co, WC-CoCr, CrC-NiCr
Twin Wire Arc Spray melts two electrically charged wire feedstocks using an arc between them, then uses compressed gas to atomize and propel the molten material onto the substrate. It is a cost-effective process for metallic coatings on large surface areas.
Materials: Zinc, aluminum, zinc-aluminum alloys, stainless steel, carbon steel
Flame spray uses the combustion of fuel gas and oxygen to melt and propel coating material in powder or wire form — a reliable, versatile process used for maintenance and restoration applications, particularly on components where heat input must be minimized.
Materials: Zinc, aluminum, bronze, Babbitt, various powder and wire feedstocks
Every process available for production programs. NADCAP, FAA, EASA, and ITAR qualified. Complete process documentation and certification on every lot.
Thermal spray is only part of the picture. NEP handles surface preparation, coating, precision grinding, and metallurgical testing — all under one roof, one quality system, and one point of accountability.
Four processes: Plasma Spray, HVOF, Twin Wire Arc Spray, and Flame / Combustion Spray — all under one NADCAP-accredited quality system.
Process selection depends on the coating material, required density and bond strength, component geometry, and performance requirement. Contact us with your spec and we'll recommend the right process.
Yes. NEP is organized and equipped for repeat production programs — same process, same team, same results, lot after lot.
Yes. All thermal spray processes at NEP are performed under our NADCAP-accredited quality system with full process documentation and certification on every production lot.
Yes. HVOF-applied tungsten carbide and chromium carbide coatings qualified under AMS 2447 — accepted by major aerospace OEMs as a hard chrome alternative.
Tell us about the component and specification. We'll recommend the right process.
Most thermal spray operations send components out for machining and grinding. NEP doesn't. Pre-spray surface preparation, post-spray grinding, and precision finishing are all performed in-house — under the same quality system, by the same team, with the same documentation standard as the coating itself.
When coating and grinding are performed in the same facility under the same quality system, every production lot is managed end-to-end without the tolerance stack-up, documentation gaps, or lead time variability that come with splitting the work across vendors.
For aerospace and defense production programs where dimensional accuracy and documentation traceability are non-negotiable, that matters.
Proper preparation is as important as the coating itself. Pre-spray surface preparation is performed to specification before any coating is applied — grit blasting, grinding, masking, or undercutting as required. Every step documented.
After coating, components requiring tight dimensional tolerances are precision-ground in-house to the required dimension and surface finish. The same team that applied the coating sets the grinding parameters.
Every stage is verified before the job moves forward. CMM inspection and surface finish measurement confirm the component meets specification before certification and shipment.
Grinding parameters set with direct knowledge of the coating applied — by the same team that applied it.
No freight between vendors. No scheduling across operations. One facility, one timeline.
Every step documented under the same quality system — from incoming inspection through final measurement and certification.
One point of contact manages the entire production lot. One team responsible for the result.
Yes. Pre-spray surface preparation, post-spray grinding, and precision finishing are all performed in-house at NEP — under the same quality system as the coating process.
CMM inspection and surface finish measurement are used to verify every component meets the required dimensions and surface finish specification before it advances.
Yes. That's the standard approach at NEP. Coating and grinding are managed as a single job under one quality system — one schedule, one documentation package, one point of accountability.
When coating and grinding are performed by the same team in the same facility, tolerance stack-up is managed end-to-end, lead times are shorter, and the documentation chain is unbroken.
Every production lot that leaves New England Plasma is verified before it ships. Our in-house metallography lab evaluates coating quality, documents results, and issues certifications — all under our NADCAP-accredited quality system.
Aerospace and defense components don't just need to be coated correctly — they need to be proven correct. Having the lab in-house means testing happens in the same facility, by the same team, under the same quality system as the coating itself. Problems are found here, not after the lot ships.
NADCAP is the most rigorous quality certification available for aerospace special processes — not self-certified, and not renewed automatically. It requires a comprehensive third-party audit and re-audit on a regular cycle. All testing at NEP is performed under this accreditation.
Every production lot ships with a complete documentation package — process records, inspection results, and certifications to applicable standards. The same documentation package, the same quality system, on every lot.
Yes. All testing and evaluation performed in our metallography lab is conducted under our NADCAP-accredited quality system.
Coating thickness measurement, microstructural analysis, porosity evaluation, hardness testing, bond tensile testing, bend testing, dielectric testing, and surface finish measurement.
Every lot ships with complete documentation — process records, inspection results, and certifications to applicable standards. NADCAP-scope work follows NADCAP documentation requirements.
When testing is performed in the same facility by the same team that applied the coating, issues are identified and resolved before anything ships — not after it's in your hands.
Yes. Certificate copies, process documentation, test results, and any other records your procurement or quality team needs.
Quality isn’t a department at New England Plasma. It’s how every job is run.
Our quality system is structured around the requirements of aerospace and defense manufacturing — the most demanding standards in any industry. Process controls, documentation practices, inspection protocols, and personnel qualification standards are all maintained to aerospace requirements, regardless of whether a given job formally requires them.
Every thermal spray process is performed to written procedure. Process parameters — temperatures, velocities, standoff distances, feed rates — are specified, monitored, and recorded for every job.
Early adopters of chrome replacement through thermal spray. REACh compliant. Recognized with Green Circle Awards from the State of Connecticut.
We’ll provide whatever your quality department needs.
New England Plasma holds the certifications that aerospace and defense production programs require. Each is independently maintained, currently active, and available for supplier qualification submissions.
Holding a certification is one thing. Maintaining it across high-volume production runs — consistently, lot after lot — is what these accreditations actually measure. NEP has held NADCAP accreditation for years and maintains FAA, EASA, and ITAR qualifications as active, operating credentials — not paperwork on a shelf.
For program managers and supply chain teams qualifying a thermal spray supplier, that consistency is what the certifications actually represent.
NADCAP is the premier quality accreditation for special processes in aerospace and defense manufacturing — the most rigorous third-party audit available for thermal spray operations. It is not self-certified, not renewed automatically, and not held by every thermal spray shop. It requires a comprehensive audit of process capability, documentation practices, and quality system — reviewed on a regular cycle. NEP has maintained NADCAP accreditation across its thermal spray processes.
Federal Aviation Administration approval is required for thermal spray work performed on FAA-certified aircraft components. NEP holds FAA approval for applicable thermal spray processes — qualifying NEP to perform production work on commercial and military aviation components that require FAA certification traceability.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency approval qualifies NEP for production work on aircraft components destined for European aviation programs. For customers with cross-border supply chains or European OEM programs, EASA registration is a required credential.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency approval qualifies NEP for production work on aircraft components destined for European aviation programs. For customers with cross-border supply chains or European OEM programs, EASA registration is a required credential.
New England Plasma is registered with the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and compliant with International Traffic in Arms Regulations. ITAR compliance is a baseline requirement for defense supply chain participation — NEP maintains active registration and handles ITAR-controlled components in accordance with applicable requirements.
NEP holds approvals from major aerospace and defense OEMs — qualifying us as an approved production supplier for specific processes, materials, and specifications. See our Approvals page for the full list.
We'll provide whatever your quality department needs.
New England Plasma holds OEM approvals from major aerospace and defense manufacturers — qualifying NEP as an approved production supplier for specific thermal spray processes, materials, and specifications.
An OEM approval means NEP has been independently evaluated and qualified by the manufacturer to perform thermal spray work on their components, to their specifications. It's a prerequisite for being on the approved supplier list — not a marketing claim.
NEP maintains approvals across multiple OEMs and actively pursues new qualifications as production programs require.
| Prime | Company | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| [OEM approvals data to be provided by New England Plasma — Prime, Company, Specification per row] | ||
Contact us to verify approved supplier status for your specific program, part number, or specification.
Our approvals list is updated as new qualifications are added. If your production program requires a specific OEM approval not listed here, contact us — NEP actively pursues new qualifications for programs that require them.
Certificate copies, approval letters, and qualification records are available for supplier submission packages. Tell us what your quality department needs.
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Replacing a high-value aerospace or defense component is expensive and time-consuming. Restoring it — to original specification, with full documentation — is often the better answer. NEP handles both the coating buildup and the post-spray grinding in-house, under one quality system, with one point of accountability.
Thermal spray restoration rebuilds worn, damaged, or out-of-tolerance surfaces back to original dimension — without compromising the base material or the component's structural integrity. The restored surface is precision-ground to tolerance and verified against specification before it ships.
This isn't a workaround. For shafts, housings, bearing surfaces, and flight-critical components across aerospace and defense, thermal spray restoration is an accepted, documented process — with the OEM approvals and NADCAP accreditation to back it up.
Incoming inspection documents the component's condition before anything begins. We assess the wear or damage, confirm restorability, and establish the baseline for the restoration specification.
The worn surface is cleaned, profiled, and prepared to specification. Masking protects areas not receiving coating. Every step is performed to the process specification — no shortcuts.
Thermal spray builds the surface back above the required dimension. Process parameters — temperatures, velocities, feedstocks — are controlled and documented throughout. The coating is engineered to meet or exceed the original surface performance requirements.
Precision ground in-house to original dimension and surface finish. CMM inspection and surface finish measurement verify the component meets specification before it advances to testing.
Metallurgical testing confirms the restoration meets specification. Full documentation package — process records, inspection results, certifications to applicable standards — ships with the component.
NADCAP accredited. FAA and EASA approved. ITAR compliant. Full documentation on every lot.
Yes. Thermal spray deposits material onto the worn surface to build it back above the required dimension. The surface is then precision-ground to the required tolerance and finish.
Yes, when properly applied and documented. Restoration coatings are engineered to meet or exceed original surface performance requirements — hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance can all be specified.
Every lot ships with complete documentation — incoming inspection records, process records, metallurgical testing results, and certifications to applicable standards.
Yes. HVOF-applied tungsten carbide and chromium carbide coatings are the standard chrome replacement for restoration applications — matching or exceeding hard chrome performance under AMS 2447.
Yes. Both are performed in-house under the same quality system. No second vendor, no split accountability, and no gaps in the documentation chain.
Tell us about the part, the wear, and the specification. We'll tell you if we can restore it.