ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFER ZINC-GRAPHITE DRY PLATING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CADMIUM ELECTROPLATING

CADMIUM ELECTROPLATING IN CYANIDE AND OTHER TOXIC CHEMICAL BATHS IS OF SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN. IN ADDITION, CADMIUM COATINGS RELEASE TOXIC BY-PRODUCTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT DURING THEIR USE AND DISPOSAL. AS A CONSEQUENCE, A UNIQUE AND ECONOMICAL DRY PLATING METHOD HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. UNLIKE CONVENTIONAL PLATING, THIS METHOD WOULD USE NO LIQUID CHEMICALS. THE DRY PLATING CONCEPT UTILIZES A NOVEL VAPOR DEPOSITION PROCESS AND AN IN SITU RECLAIM TECHNIQUE FOR HEAVY METALS AND ALLOYS. IN THIS PROPOSED RESEARCH, THE ZINC- GRAPHITE COMPOSITE COATING IS SUGGESTED AS A SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE TO REPLACE CADMIUM COATINGS. THE AIMS OF THE PROPOSED RESEARCH IN PHASE I ARE: (1) TO DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEPOSITING THE ZINC-GRAPHITE COMPOSITE USING THE DRY PLATING PROCESS AND (2) TO MEASURE THE LUBRICITY OF THE COMPOSITE IN TERMS OF THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION. IF THIS RESEARCH INDICATES PROMISE, FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE TECHNIQUE COULD LEAD TO A METHOD WHICH WOULD POTENTIALLY ELIMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS OF CADMIUM IN MANY INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS.