The National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence NDCEE) is partnering with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to identify and evaluate alternatives to hexavalent chromium electroplating. Based on Air Force Air Logistic Center (ALC) needs, environmentally acceptable alternatives to hard chromium plating are being identified. The project scope is limited to electrochemical deposition methods and parts with complex geometries, such as internal diameters, blind holes, and other features that are not amenable to line-of-sight surfacing technologies, such as high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF). Twenty to forty percent of the Department of Defense's chromium plated parts are estimated to fall into this category. A systematic approach is being used to identify technically sound and economically feasible electrodeposited alternatives. This paper describes the information obtained on such alternatives, the methodology used for selecting plating bath chemistries for test and evaluation, and test results obtained to date.
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