Zinc-Nickel Plating for Propellant Actuated Devices (PADs)

摘要

BACKGROUND: Corrosion protection is critical to long term ejection seat reliability and operation; Cadmium plating is used extensively in Propellant Actuated Devices (PAD) items. PRO's Good corrosion protection; Thin enough for threads; good lubricity. CON's Cadmium plater pool is drying up; EPA regulates cadmium in air; Cadmium toxic, carcinogenic. OBJECTIVES: Find a non-proprietary replacement, low toxicity, plating that provides corrosion protection which is equal to or greater than existing cadmium plating; Evaluate our low VOC plating system on the replacement coating; Assure that cadmium replacement doesn't induce hydrogen embrittlement; Qualify the replacement system.