Collaborative Development of a Functional Trivalent Chromium Electroplating Process
Abstract
Faraday has been working for over 20 years on the development of a functional chromium plating process from a trivalent-based electrolyte to replace hexavalent chromium plating. Hexavalent chromium plating has been used for many decades to provide hard, durable coatings with excellent wear and corrosion resistance properties. However, hexavalent chromium has come under increasing scrutiny due to the toxic nature of the bath, effects on the environment, and workers’ health. Faraday has demonstrated that the chrome coatings prepared using the FARADAYIC(R) Process have equivalent functional properties to the coatings produced with a hexavalent chromium bath. The data demonstrates equivalent or superior: 1) plating rate, 2) Knoop hardness, 3) current efficiency, 4) hydrogen embrittlement behavior, 5) adhesion, 6) corrosion resistance, 7) porosity, 8) thickness, 9) Taber Abrasion, Ball on Flat Reciprocating and Dithering wear resistance, and with no hexavalent chromium formation in the bath. The data that will be presented demonstrate the feasibility of the process and have provided the basis for further technical qualification and prototype design. Of note, due to the promise of this technology, Faraday’s team received a 2013 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1149/ma2015-02/24/951
Entities
People
- E. J. Taylor
- Maria E. Inman
- Savidra Lucatero
- Stephen Snyder
- Timothy D. Hall