The Short-Pulse Plasma Implantation/Coating Process for Extending the Life of Die Casting Dies

50952-98-I The Short-Pulse Plasma Implantation/Coating Process for Extending the Life of Die Casting Dies--First Point Scientific, Inc., 5330 Derry Avenue, Suite J, Agoura Hills, CA 91301-4500; (818) 707-1131 Dr. John Bayless, Principal Investigator Dr. John Bayless, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-98ER82578 Amount: $75,000 Die casting is a major industrial activity in the U.S. Die casting dies, which are very expensive, have limited life, and substantial benefits would be gained by extending die life. This project will develop the Short-pulse Plasma Implantation/Coating (SPIC) process. This process is a unique combination of high energy ion implantation and hard coating deposition which will extend die lifetime by more than a factor of ten by reducing cracking, corrosion, and wear. In Phase I, the basic feasibility of the SPIC concept will be demonstrated by: (1) assembling a SPIC experiment; (2) performing tests to demonstrate the efficacy of the SPIC concept; and (3) developing a conceptual design for a laboratory prototype system. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: If successful, the market for processing of such dies would be very large. Other applications include tools, stamping dies, bearings, and gears. _