Exploring the Feasibility of Scaing Up an Enviornmentally Safe Bright Chrome Application Method

IonEdge Corporation has developed and envionrmentally safe bright chrome application for the automatove industry. The application method does not use liquid chemicals, eliminates hexavalent chromium, reduces number of procedss steps and simplifies operatinb procedures. The process has the potentail to reduce manufacturing cost substantially. However, in order to realize these cost benefits, technology scale up issues need to be adedressed in the Phase I. One scale up task to be completed is increasing chromium coating process throughput. The purpose of thsi researfch is to explore the feasibility of advancint the chromium coating method further to be able to meet commercial expectations. This proposal proposes cathode design improvements to be able to coat large area objects in large number is a short process cycle. The proposed improvements will simplify the cathode design, reduce equipment complexity and cost, improve process control, and allow technology scale up to the level desired. The decorative chrome finish developed has acceptable appeal and promising qualities desired in the commercial sector. The technology will be applicable to OEM and aftermarket products worth several hundred million dollars. Typical applications include wheels, bumpers and automotive tril. The cost reduction benefit of this technology has the potential to make the U.S. chroming industry competitive in the gloval marketplace, especially with SE Asia.