Functional Chrome Coatings on Hard to Access, Internal Surfaces of Industrial Parts from an Environmentally Benign Trivalent Chromium Bath

Faraday Technology Inc., with the guidance of The Boeing Company and Advanced Tooling Corp, proposes a drop-in 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 service 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.