Development of a green technology for aluminum anodization****

阳极氧化在飞机和其他航空航天相关部件的设计和制造中起着重要的作用。SIMCO北美公司(安大略省剑桥市)30多年来一直为航空航天、国防、航天和其他行业提供精密制造的零部件。铬酸阳极氧化主要用于保护涉及各种接头的关键结构，具有优异的耐腐蚀性。然而，与这一过程相关的环境问题也很严重，因为六价铬是致癌的，对人类健康和周围环境都有极其有害的影响。NSERC Engage研究项目的目标包括：(I)开发一种新的绿色阳极氧化技术来取代Shimco的铬酸阳极氧化工艺；以及(Ii)改进Shimco的硫酸阳极氧化工艺。开发一种替代铬酸阳极氧化的绿色材料对铝阳极氧化生产的可持续性至关重要。这是加拿大研究和工业的当务之急，因为欧洲已经开始逐步淘汰铬酸的使用，世界其他国家肯定很快就会效仿。这些阳极氧化工艺的改进不仅可以进一步扩大航空航天用阳极氧化铝的生产，还可以减少它们的环境足迹。Shimco是加拿大唯一的垫片制造商；它计划根据这项拟议的研究结果设计和建造一条阳极氧化生产线。绿色阳极氧化技术的成功开发将使加拿大制造商在逐步淘汰铬酸阳极氧化开始后，在阳极氧化铝市场上保持竞争力。此外，随着阳极氧化铝市场在加拿大的持续发展，该项目将支持航空航天工程部门的HQP培训，以创造新的就业机会。

Anodization plays an important role in the design and construction of aircraft and other aerospace related components. Shimco North America Inc. (Cambridge, Ontario) has served the aerospace, defense, space, and other industries with precision manufactured parts for over 30 years. Chromic acid anodization is primarily used to protect critical structures that involve various joints, with excellent corrosion resistance. However, there are significant environmental concerns related to this process, as hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic and has extremely detrimental effects on both human health and the ambient environment. The objectives of this NSERC Engage research project include: (i) the development of a novel green anodization technique to replace Shimco's chromic acid anodization process; and (ii) the improvement of Shimco's sulfuric acid anodization process. The development of a green alternative to chromic acid anodization is of critical importance to the sustainability of the production of anodized aluminum components. This is an urgent priority for Canadian research and industry, as Europe has already proceeded to phase out the use of chromic acid, and the rest of the world is sure to soon follow. The improvement of these anodization processes will not only allow for the further expanded production of anodized aluminum for aerospace applications, but also reduce their environmental footprints. Shimco is the only shim manufacturer in Canada; it plans to design and build an anodizing production line based on the results of this proposed research. The successful development of green anodization techniques will allow Canadian manufacturers to remain competitive in the anodized aluminum market, once the phasing out of chromic acid anodization has begun. Moreover, this project will support the training of HQP for the aerospace engineering sector in the creation of new jobs, as the anodized aluminum market continues to develop in Canada.