MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: ABSTRACT: Hexavalent chromium, a common additive in many manufacturing processes known

Description

ABSTRACT: Hexavalent chromium, a common additive in many manufacturing processes known for its leading anticorrosive properties, is extremely harmful in low doses. A convenient and accelerated test method to evaluate emerging hexavalent chromium alternatives is needed. Mainstream proposes the development of an Accelerated Corrosion Environment (ACE) chamber. Mainstream"s ACE chamber combines environmental effects of every form (corrosion, thermal, irradiation, humidity, and mechanical loading) into a single testing apparatus, providing a one-stop-shop for environmental testing needs. The ACE Chamber will reduce cycle times by ~50%, and could reduce total test time by a factor of 10 because of its synergistic application of environmental conditions. BENEFIT: Mainstream"s ACE chamber is a reliable testing unit that reduces total environmental evaluation time. Mainstream"s ACE chamber will serve as a tool to the ASIP community that can be used to evaluate emerging organic coatings that will be both environmentally acceptable and have corrosion inhibiting properties greater than or equal to hexavalent chromium based pretreatments. The ACE chamber has great market potential because it could also provide an all-in-one testing center for OEM"s concerned with harsh environmental conditions.