Thermal spraying an environmentally friendly alternative to hard chrome plating
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Högskolan Väst - Institutionen för ingenjörsvetenskap |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 000 000 |
| Project duration | December 2012 - December 2014 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The project´s aim was to verify the commercial and technical conditions to replace electrolytic hard chrome plating with thermal spraying, thus replacing an environmentally harmful carcinogenic process. The results showed that thermal spraying will provide better technical performance. The manufacturing cost of thermally sprayed coatings proved to be higher, especially at large scale production. An incubator company, PTC Innovation AB, was established according to the project plan and has made several industrial projects.
Results and expected effects
The project has performed both technical and economic evaluation of thermal spray as a replacement method to electrolytic hard chrome plating (EHC). Thermal spraying proved generally technically superior to EHC. The manufacturing cost was however found to be higher, specifically at high volume production. The technology is judged to be capable to replace EHC on a large scale when legislation is entered 2017.
Approach and implementation
1.Verification of the commercial conditions for HVAF as replacement method for the EHC. 2.Technical verification of HVAF as replacement method for the EHC in two industrial applications. Cost analyzes. 3.Development of the process, product and related services. Development of business plan and associated marketing / sales plan. 4.Establishment of a ´Jobshop´ to develop the network and ´connect with´ strategic partners. Marketing and sales of the ´product´. All phases were carried out according to plan.