CHROMEFREE – Chromium-free replacements for hard chrome plating

硬铬电镀因其硬度和低摩擦的出色组合以及耐腐蚀性和耐磨性而在许多工业部门得到广泛应用。然而，制造过程需要使用危险的铬盐，这会引起健康和环境问题，由于立法的变化，如REACH，导致不确定的长期未来。电沉积金属基纳米复合材料(MMNC)具有显著改善表面性能的潜力，如增加显微硬度和固有的润滑性。纳米技术在过去25年的发展意味着现在有大量的纳米颗粒、纳米线和纳米管存在于各种材料中，因此新型纳米复合涂层的应用范围比以往任何时候都要大。莱斯特大学最近的工作已经在一系列涂层成分上展示了这一过程。这使得能够生产强化涂层，有可能开发出具有与硬铬相当的功能性能的涂层。作为一个联合体，本项目正在推进与JCB、PPUK、NMB Minebea和伟尔阀门和控制器合作伙伴的工作，以验证该能力，用于广泛的工业应用。此外，这项技术将通过为工业提供电镀服务的图克斯伯里钻石镀铬公司以及拥有700多个行业成员网络的TWI获得更广泛的应用。“

"Hard chrome plating is widespread through many industrial sectors due to its excellent combination of hardness and low friction combined with corrosion and wear resistance. The manufacturing process however requires the use of hazardous chromium salts which give rise to health and environmental concerns, leading to an uncertain long-term future due to legislative changes such as REACH.Electrodeposited metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) have the potential to make a significant improvement to surface properties such as increased microhardness and inherent lubricity. The development of nanotechnology over the last 25 years means that there are now a multitude of nanoparticles, nanowires and nano-tubes in a wide range materials, hence the scope for new nanocomposite coatings is greater than ever. Recent work at Leicester University has resulted in demonstration of the process across a range of coating compositions.This enables the production of strengthened coatings, with the potential to develop a coating with functional performance equivalent to hard chrome.Working as a consortium, the present project is taking the work forward to validate the capability with partners JCB, PPUK, NMB Minebea and Weir Valves and Controls for a wide range of industrial applications. Additionally, the technology will be made more broadly available through Tewkesbury Diamond Chrome Plating which provides electroplating services to industry, and through TWI with its network of over 700 industrial members."