SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Aircraft in the US Air Force fleet utilize many critical application items that are coated with highly toxic hexavalent chrome Cr(VI) plating to prevent corrosion. Many of these items are constructed of aluminum, magnesium, or titanium (light alloys). The items are very expensive and can have unacceptably long lead times to obtain replacements. The Air Force is financially burdened by its efforts to preserve existing supplies. Our technical and commercial team offers a unique, non-toxic, low-cost coating technology that provides exceptional wear and corrosion protection, at levels equal to chrome treatments. Our technology converts the surface of the alloys into a thin, impervious, ultra-hard, wear resistant ceramic layer that completely seals the metal surface. The ceramic coating grows into the base layer of the parent metal, making it impossible to delaminate from the metal like traditional paints. Light alloys are soft, and as a consequence, are highly susceptible to wear. Deposition of our ultra-hard ceramic coating over the parent metal eliminates the undesired softness which greatly improves wear resistance. Our technology is not for use on ferrous metals (steel). Our commercially successful coating technology will be rapidly integrated into Air Force applications to replace soon to be banned chrome treatments.
