A "Zero-Waste" physical vapor depsotion (PVD) method for plating cadmium and zinc has been developed and commercialized under the EPA Small Busines Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The method does not use liquids, and it eliminates solid waste by recycling the metals in situ. The process is hydrogen-embrittlement-free and the coating quality is equal or superior to conventional electroplating. A cadimum dry plating-line is now in daily production, providing job-shop coating services to the aerospace industry. The process has reduced energy costs, minimized water usage and has nearly eliminated waste handling.
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