Grantee Research Project Results
Plasma Processes for Pretreatment of Metal Surfaces
EPA Contract Number: 68D60032Title: Plasma Processes for Pretreatment of Metal Surfaces
Investigators: Dillingham, R. Giles
Small Business: Brighton Technologies Group Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1996 through March 1, 1997
Project Amount: $69,006
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Pollution Prevention , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Most applications of metals require that the surface be modified, pretreated, or finished for corrosion protection, appearance, or adhesive bond strength and durability. The use of adhesively bonded structures in automotive and aircraft design is increasing rapidly. Surfaceprocessing techniques such as anodizing, electroplating, etching, conversion coating, and painting frequently involve the use of toxic materials such as hexavalent chromium, cyanides, and lead compounds and thus produce pollutants. Disposing of the effluents is a serious environmental problem which increases production costs unnecessarily. Brighton Technologies Group, Inc. proposes a program of research aimed at developing a commercially viable plasma etching and plasma polymerization process as a high-performance, cost-effective, non-polluting surface pretreatment process suitable for steel, galvanized steel, galvalume-coated steel, and aluminum. The project objectives are to extend the previously developed plasma cleaning and film deposition techniques to produce a commercial process by the establishment of clear relationships between process parameters, film structure, deposition rate, and performance. This will be accomplished through a series of designed experiments whereby process parameters are modified in a controlled manner according to the results obtained from extensive mechanical testing and surface and interface analysis of the resultant films and composite structures.Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, engineering, chemistry, pollution prevention, hazardous waste., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, hexavalent chromium waste, hexavalent chromium, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Chemistry, 33/50, Environmental Engineering, plasma processes, cleaner production, environmentally conscious manufacturing, waste minimization, waste reduction, chromium & chromium compounds, Chromium, clean technology, lead, plasma spray, plasma polymerization, alternative materials, electroplating, emission controls, metal plating industry, metal finishing, coating processes, engineering, process modification, plasma-based dry plating, emission reductions, plymerization, pollution prevention, plasma etching, pretreatment of metal surfacesProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Plasma Processes for Pretreatment of Metal SurfacesThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.