Electroless Hard Coat S.A. (Elhco) has obtained certification for the Tartaric Sulphuric Anodising (TSA) process for Airbus Commercial in accordance with specification AIPS02-01-003.
The certification was completed during 2025 and is effective from September 2025, following the corresponding validation by Airbus. As a result, Elhco is currently listed on the public QSPL (Qualified Special Process List) of Airbus, officially confirming the approval of the process.
TSA according to AIPS02-01-003: Qualified technical capability
The Tartaric Sulphuric Anodising (TSA) process is a surface treatment primarily applied to aluminium alloys used in the aerospace sector. Its implementation requires strict control of process parameters, validation testing, and compliance with specific technical requirements defined by Airbus.
Specification AIPS02-01-003 establishes the execution, control, and acceptance criteria necessary to ensure:
Certification of this process strengthens Elhco’s technical capability in specialised surface treatments for the aerospace sector.
Replacement of Hexavalent Chromium and Adaptation to European Regulatory Framework
TSA has become established in the aerospace industry as an alternative to traditional processes based on hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺), a substance subject to strict restrictions under the European REACH Regulation due to its environmental impact and health risks.
The transition to technologies such as TSA aligns with evolving European regulatory requirements regarding restricted substances and the gradual adaptation of the aerospace supply chain to increasingly stringent regulatory demands.
With this certification, Elhco consolidates its position as a qualified supplier capable of offering technical solutions aligned with European regulatory requirements and the sustainable development of the aerospace sector.
In addition to the TSA process in compliance with AIPS02-01-003, Elhco has also certified related auxiliary processes, including the application of chemical conversion coatings according to AIPS02-05-001 and the paint repair process according to AIPS05-02-011. The joint approval of these complementary processes expands the company’s portfolio of certified capabilities and strengthens its service capacity within the Airbus supply chain, consolidating its competitiveness in the aerospace sector through the combination of technical excellence, process control, and adaptation to European regulatory frameworks.
