Grantee Research Project Results
Functional Chrome Coatings on Hard to Access, Internal Surfaces of Industrial Parts from an Environmentally Benign Trivalent Chromium Bath
EPA Contract Number: EPD12040Title: Functional Chrome Coatings on Hard to Access, Internal Surfaces of Industrial Parts from an Environmentally Benign Trivalent Chromium Bath
Investigators: Hall, Timothy
Small Business: Faraday Technology, Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2014 (Extended to June 1, 2015)
Project Amount: $299,981
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2012) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Innovation in Manufacturing
Description:
Faraday Technology Inc., with the guidance of The Boeing Company and Advanced Tooling Corp, proposes a dropin replacement chrome plating process that can coat complex, hard to access surfaces such as the interior of landing gear, using an environmentally benign trivalent chromium bath. The proposed manufacturing process meets the stated EPA needs b} improving existing processes while utilizing a novel green approach that reduces pollution and improves worker safety. In Phase I, Faraday demonstrated the ability to plate chrome on the interior of cylinders, met the requirements for hardness, adhesion. porosity, and thickness, and showed the potential for good wear resistance. Furthermore, a preliminary economic analysis of the FARADAYIC™ Electrodeposition process showed that due to the higher current efficiency, as compared to hexavalent chromium plating, the process could be significantly lower in cost. In Phase II, the team will optimize the FARADAYIC™ Electrodeposition process and hardware to achieve the desired uniformity within sample cylindrical parts, optimize the functional properties of the deposit, deposit chrome into actual representative components provided by our consultant, Advanced Tooling Corp, and conduct standard pressure tests and high cycle wear tests that mimic servce environments. Faraday Technology will also complete a more detailed economic analysis of the technology, build on the relationships with its current strategic partners, and seek additional market applications and collaborators. This effort will establish a strong basis for the Phase II Option technical and commercialization activities which will continue the wear tests and widen the range of applications for the technology.
Progress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
Functional Chrome Coatings on Hard to Access, Internal Surfaces of Industrial Parts from an Environmentally Benign Trivalent Chromium Bath | Final ReportThe 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.