Repair Technique for Electroplated Surfaces

A newly demonstrated technology (patent pending) provides a unique solution to repair of electroplated and other surfaces. The repair process permits the use of a wide variety of repair metals/alloys, is environmentally friendly, requires little/no cleaning of the breached surface, and can be applied in the depot or field (no special environment required) over many electroplate or other material surfaces. This replacement for electroplating is called Laser Induced Surface Improvement (LISI). Two years of laboratory development/testing have fully demonstrated its ability to produce a corrosion-resistant surface free from porosity and cracks. LISI can process hard-to-reach surfaces with laser energy transmitted via fiber-optic cable. The process can be used for touch-up of small areas or can process up to 50 sq. ft./hour with a 3 kw YAG laser. Further, the molecular bond of the repaired surface alloy resists all attempts at delamination or peeling and can accommodate a wide range of temperatures (coefficients of expansion). The result is a permanent thin layer of protective material (10 to 1000 microns with depth determined by controlled operating parameters). Phase I will demonstrate the applicability of several repair alloy formulations, investigate the integrity of the repair, and examine any effluents from the process.