Navy and Army Depots and Air Force Air Logistics Genters (ALCs) generally use electroltic hard chrome (EHC) plating in gas turbine engine maintenance operations to rebulid worn or corroded parts to reestore dimensional tolerance and to replace worn or damaged chrome previously applied. This process involves the use of hexavalent chromium (hex-chrome), a known carcinogen. Hex-chrome is listed on the U.S.EPA's list of 17 "toxic enemies" and its 33/50 program targeted for hazardous material reduction. OSHA is considering decrease of the personal expousre limit for hex-chrome from the current 0.1 mg/m~3 to 0.005 mg/m~3. Complying with these new regulations will significantly increase the compliance burdnes and operational cost of EHC plating. The ALCs and OEMs (including GEAE) will be partnered to demonstrate and approve thermal spray and HOVF coatings of has turbine engines. This project has been budgeted for more than
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