NADCAP (Special Process)

NADCAP special process accreditation verifies tightly controlled aerospace-critical processes like heat treatment, coatings, NDT, and welding meet stringent industry and prime contractor requirements.

Overview

NADCAP (Special Process) is an aerospace industry accreditation that certifies a supplier’s control over critical processes such as heat treatment, chemical processing, NDT, welding, and coatings. It audits not just paperwork, but process parameters, operator qualification, equipment calibration, and traceability against strict industry and OEM specifications.

You specify NADCAP when parts are safety-critical, flight hardware, or controlled by aerospace primes that mandate NADCAP-accredited special processes. It improves confidence in process consistency, reduces audit burden from multiple OEMs, and helps qualify parts for airworthiness or defense programs. The tradeoff is higher cost, tighter documentation requirements, fewer eligible suppliers, and longer lead times for qualifying new processes or shops. Use it when regulatory, contractual, or risk requirements justify the extra control and overhead, not for commodity or low-risk work.

Common Materials

  • Aluminum 7075
  • Titanium 6Al-4V
  • Inconel 718
  • 17-4 PH stainless steel
  • Carbon steel 4140

Tolerances

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Applications

  • Landing gear components requiring NADCAP heat treat
  • Jet engine hardware needing NADCAP coatings or chemical processing
  • Aerospace fasteners with NADCAP plating requirements
  • Structural airframe parts with NADCAP NDT callouts
  • Spacecraft components requiring NADCAP welding or brazing
  • Defense hardware with prime-mandated NADCAP special processes

When to Choose NADCAP (Special Process)

Call out NADCAP when aerospace or defense contracts, OEM specs, or internal risk assessments require accredited control of special processes like heat treat, NDT, coating, or welding. It fits safety-critical, flight, or mission-critical hardware where process failure is unacceptable. Avoid using it casually; every NADCAP callout narrows your supplier base and raises cost and lead time.

vs ISO 9001 (Quality Management)

Choose NADCAP (Special Process) when you must control specific special processes beyond general quality management. ISO 9001 covers the quality system; NADCAP dives into process parameters, operator qualifications, and technical compliance for defined process families. Use NADCAP when primes or specifications mandate accredited heat treat, NDT, coatings, or welding, not just a compliant QMS.

vs AS9100 (Aerospace Quality)

Pick NADCAP when aerospace parts require accredited special processes in addition to an aerospace QMS. AS9100 addresses system-level controls; NADCAP verifies that each special process line, furnace, or NDT method meets detailed aerospace process criteria. Use NADCAP when prime flowdowns or certification plans explicitly call for it on special processes.

vs ISO 13485 (Medical Device Quality)

Use NADCAP instead of relying solely on ISO 13485 when aerospace/defense specifications govern the special processes, even if your shop also serves medical. ISO 13485 manages medical device quality systems, while NADCAP focuses on aerospace-driven technical requirements and audits for specific processes like heat treat or NDT. NADCAP is the right choice when flight or defense programs impose PRI accreditation.

vs IATF 16949 (Automotive Quality)

Select NADCAP when producing aerospace or defense components that need accredited special processes, not just automotive-grade quality controls. IATF 16949 focuses on automotive production and APQP; NADCAP certifies the technical rigor of special processes per aerospace standards. Use NADCAP when your customer is an airframer, engine OEM, or defense contractor with NADCAP clauses in the PO.

vs ITAR Registered

Choose NADCAP when the key requirement is process capability and aerospace compliance, not export control alone. ITAR registration governs who you can ship to and how data is handled; NADCAP governs how you run special processes like heat treat, plating, or NDT. Many defense parts require both, but NADCAP is what ensures the special process meets technical aerospace criteria.

Design Considerations

  • Call out NADCAP only where required by contract, regulatory need, or prime specification to avoid unnecessary cost and supplier restriction
  • Specify the exact special process family, specification (e.g., AMS, MIL, OEM spec), and class so shops can confirm they hold the correct NADCAP scope
  • Group similar NADCAP processes (e.g., all heat treat or all plating specs) to minimize multiple setups and certifications, reducing cost and complexity
  • Include clear acceptance criteria for special process results (e.g., hardness range, coating thickness, NDT method and sensitivity) to avoid rework and disputes
  • Coordinate early with suppliers on which features or zones require NADCAP-controlled processes, especially on large or mixed-criticality assemblies
  • Provide all applicable flowdown documents and revision levels with RFQs so shops can verify NADCAP coverage and quote realistic lead times