Nonchromate
Aluminum Pretreatments
Project Number: S-00-OC-016
JG-PP
partnered with the ESTCP
to demonstrate/validate this project. The goal of ESTCP
is to demonstrate and validate promising, innovative technologies/processes/
materials that target
the DoD's
most urgent environmental needs. By use of a coordinated effort, ESTCP
advances can lead to successful JG-PP
technology transitions that will provide cost effective, environmental
technology solutions for both the DoD
and the U.S. industrial base. Visit the ESTCP
Website for additional information on the project's purpose, description,
and benefits.
JG-PP is working with ESTCP to demonstrate and validate the performance of nonchromate aluminum pretreatments on DoD and aerospace test platforms. Implementation of alternatives will aid in eliminating the use of hexavalent chromium for aluminum alloy finishing. A change to non-hexavalent chromium formulations will eliminate the ESOH issues associated with hexavalent chromium processing as well as reduce the toxicity of related waste products.
Hexavalent chromium is highly toxic and a cancer-suspect agent. The DoD and aerospace community uses chromates almost exclusively to pre-treat aluminum alloys and post-treat aluminum based sacrificial coatings on steel, such as IVD-AL and anodized aluminum alloys. Stringent OSHA and EPA regulations and EOs such as EO 12856 motivate DoD facilities to identify, evaluate, and implement technically and financially acceptable alternatives to chromate conversion coatings. Effective January 2006, the OSHA Ruling reduced the PEL for chromium significantly from 100 ug/m3 to 0.5 ug/m3. It is anticipated that most plating shops will experience difficulties in ensuring that worker exposure meets these more stringent limits when operating hexavalent chromium baths. Technical representatives from a variety of DoD organizations and from OEMs responsible for manufacturing DoD weapon systems will meet to share their expertise about chromate conversion coatings. They will define the functional properties of chromate conversion coatings, the substrates and components to which it is currently applied, and the properties of candidate alternative conversion coating systems. The reduction and eventual elimination of chromate conversion coatings from military systems would greatly reduce the environmental, safety, and health risks associated with hexavalent chromium. Some cost avoidance would be realized immediately as a result of decreased monitoring, PPE, and other chromium-related requirements in the conversion coating area. The results of a CBA performed for this project indicate that by implementing alternatives to chromate conversion coatings, a cost avoidance of approximately $0.10 to $2.23 per square foot of surface area treated can be realized.
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This site last updated February 28, 2008.
Send all questions and comments to jgpp@ctc.com