SBIR/STTR Award attributes
US Department of Defense (DOD) branches utilize 7XXX series anodized aluminum for many aircraft applications such as cargo floors. In addition, many aircraft structures manufactured from 2xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx aluminum alloys and castings are anodized for corrosion and wear protection for components throughout the different weapon systems. Traditionally brush, also known as “spot†anodizing is used for local touch up to repair worn / reworked areas to restore the anodized surface during repair and overhaul, but current anodize solutions have not proven effective. In addition, current spot/brush anodize equipment (same base equipment used for brush plating) results in chemical spillage requiring masking to prevent additional clean-up during and after repair. ES3 will leverage lessons learned during brush plating SBIR development per AF071-002 for cleaner/dripless SIFCO equipment and design the equipment for anodize applications. ES3 will develop, test and evaluate improved brush anodizing chemistries that can be utilized in lieu of existing brush anodize chemistries currently approved. In Phase I, ES3 will investigate/develop spot/brush anodize chemistry alternatives, design SIFCO brush anodizing equipment for cleaner/dripless anodize applications and conduct the feasibility study and testing necessary to demonstrate USAF preliminary evaluation criteria for 7XXX series aluminum applications that were sulfuric acid anodized.
