Cadmium-Free Alternatives for Brush Plating Repair Operations

Traditional brush plating is conducted using a stylus with an absorbent pad saturated with plating solution. The process of brush plating can occur on localized areas or entire parts, and is considered an open process. This allows for the solution to flow down vertical or irregular surfaces, or drip from overhead during the plating operation leading to potential worker exposure to the solution and contamination of the surrounding area. This project focused on the elimination of toxic/carcinogenic cadmium (Cd) material for brush plating repair operations, and the reduction of solid waste associated with adsorbents used to contain solution leakage attributed with traditional brush plating repair processes. The programs technical objectives were to (1) Demonstrate the Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Dalistick Station for selective brush plating in DoD maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations and (2) Test and evaluate the COTS Zinidal Aero zinc-nickel (Zn-Ni) brush plated coating as a Cd replacement on weapon systems parts and components.