Improved LHE Zn-Ni and Cd Plating Process

ABSTRACT: Landing gear platings, such as LHE Zn-Ni and Cd are designed to protect the base material from the environmental effect of field use. Inherent to the electroplating process is the introduction of hydrogen into the high strength steel (HSS) aircraft component, which can cause hydrogen embrittlement (HE). Currently the plating processes are followed by HE relief bake for a minimum of 23 hours at 375°F +/-25°F. Informal testing of LHE Zn-Ni has shown that a shorter HE relief bake time (1-2 hours) was adequate, to allow the hydrogen to diffuse from the HSS aircraft components, through the plating. Decreased bake times would result in significant reductions in OO-ALC overhaul workflow times, energy usage, depot process inventory, and new spares costs. Reduced processing time will lead to significant cost savings for the USAF and industry. In this Phase I SBIR effort, ES3 will design a battery of tests to investigate the feasibility of reducing the HE relief bake time for LHE Zn-Ni and Cd. Phase I efforts will lead into Phase II, full scale qualification testing, that will validate reduction of HE relief bake for LHE Zn-Ni, Cd and other common platings such as chromium (chrome) and nickel (Ni). BENEFIT: ES3 anticipates the results of Phase I work will validate the feasibility and need for immediate pursuit of Phase II efforts. ES3 anticipates that reduction of required post plating HE relief bake times will provide DoD and aerospace industry with a faster and more reliable means of LHE Zn-Ni, Cd, chrome or Ni plating HSS structural aircraft components. It also allows for significant man-hour savings, reduced process flow days and inventory cost avoidance. This process improvement will lead to a reduction of the following 1) production floor space, 2) energy consumption, 3) oven maintenance and 4) possible missed bakes which cause re-bakes.