Technical Support for Implementation of Aluminum Vapor Deposition Technology
Abstract
Industrial production and maintenance activities conducted at Army depots typically include metal plating operations. For many years, cadmium has been commonly applied as a surface coating, using conventional electroplating processes, to provide a protective, corrosion-resistant finish. Cadmium is a toxic, carcinogenic metal and cadmium electroplating generates sludges, rinse waters, and spent plating solutions. Alternatives to cadmium electroplating exist. In many cases, aluminum coatings can be substituted for cadmium coating to provide corrosion protection and other functional requirements. Aluminum ion vapor deposition (AIVD) is a process that can be used to plate aluminum on metal pans. This technology, which was originally developed in the 1970's for use on aircraft pans, does not generate the rinse waters, sludges, or spent electrolyte solutions that are associated with conventional electroplating. With the exception of a small quantity of waste generated during periodic cleaning of internal components of the system, AIVD coating generates no wastes. The U.S. Army Environmental Center (USAEC) provided technical assistance to Tobyhanna Army Depot (TOAD) in regard to acquisition of an AIVD system. Information acquisition efforts included completion of site visits to facilities using AIVD to discuss and observe the operation and use of this technology in depot operations. Site visits to TOAD were also conducted to discuss and review current cadmium plating operations. Outputs of this technical support effort included Trip Reports, a Bid Specification for an AIVD system, an Economic Analysis (EA) for an AIVD system, a Work Order for installation of an AIVD system, and the collection of information on AIVD technology and coatings. This paper reviews the technology and its applicability at Army depots including discussion of costs, waste reduction, and other benefits (such as reduction of employee exposures to toxic metals).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADP017701
Entities
People
- Gene L. Fabian
- Robert L. Hoye