Alternatives to Cd Plating

[Woonsup Park]

I am looking for some alternatives to cadmium plating of steel fasteners.
Cadmium plating has been used satisfactorily to provide good corrosion
protection and lubricity in steel fasteners. Now that the environmental
hazard involved in cadmium plating puts it on EPA black list, what
alternatives are there to replace it? Changing the fastener materials to
more corrosion resistant materials (e.g. stainless steel) not requiring
cadmium plating could be an option. But I would like to know if there is
any development of alternative plating with similar corrosion and lubricity
properties. Any input would be appreciated. Direct e-mail response is
preferred (pa...@courier8.aero.org).

[Jeffrey M. Matthews <jmmatthe>]

In article <park-291...@wpark.aero.org> pa...@courier8.aero.org (Woonsup Park) writes:
>I am looking for some alternatives to cadmium plating of steel fasteners.
>Cadmium plating has been used satisfactorily to provide good corrosion

stuff deleted

>alternatives are there to replace it? Changing the fastener materials to
>more corrosion resistant materials (e.g. stainless steel) not requiring
>cadmium plating could be an option. But I would like to know if there is

Be careful how you replace carbon steel with stainless. Many types of steel
hardware are considerably stronger than their stainless counterparts. While
it is true that one can select corrosion resistant alloys that are stronger
than many "plain" steels, such must be done only on a case-by-case basis.

Jeff Matthews

[Derek Demaree]

As a researcher at the Army Research Laboratory Materials Directorate
(Watertown, MA), I'm actively involved in the study of replacements
for electroplated Cd and Cr. There are at least three DOD-sponsored
projects in this area: a joint study involving ARL and the Naval
Research Laboratory, a study administered by BIRL (at Northwestern),
and the National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence (NDCEE)
in Johnstown, PA. The studies generally focus on alternative coating
processes (electroplating is extraordinarily waste-productive) as well
as alternative coating materials. Actually changing the materials out
of which pieces are made would be a mil-spec nightmare I don't even
want to contemplate!
Environmental regulations and outright bans are a major driving force
behind lots of materials research these days, and they'll only get
more restrictive in the future. It's a good field to investigate
if you're looking for something new.
--------
Dr. J. Derek Demaree
AMSRL-MA-CC-292
Watertown, MA 02172-0001
617-923-5264