ES3 is a niche engineering firm providing specialized design, development, and fabrication of products for aerospace and other heavy industry sectors. ES3 has a purposeful business mission–to improve the performance, maintenance, and supply of mission-critical and safety-of-flight components while reducing the environmental impact of aerospace production processes and the hazardous exposures of aviation maintenance crews.
ES3 provides technical expertise in all aspects of landing gear systems research, test and evaluation, design and analysis, repair and maintenance. ES3 maintains a state-of-the-art facility along with engineering and testing staff to define component-specific parameters and procedures for applying advanced surface solutions as alternatives to coatings such as chrome or cadmium. Further, ES3 is a reliable source for developing highly-engineered electroplating, thermal spray, and plasma spray systems to meet the specific processing requirements of our customers.
Focus Area: Coating and Corrosion Prevention
Contact
Fred Laguines
fred.laguines@es3inc.com
478-298-8403
Dripless Repair System (DRS) for Zinc Nickel Brush Plating
Problem Statement:
DoD branches utilize low and high strength steel alloys on different weapon system components that require corrosion protection and cadmium has been the baseline coating for decades. The DOD typically brush plates steel parts from these weapon systems with Cd and outsources Cd tank plating to vendors. Cd is a toxic metal and known carcinogen that poses environmental, safety, and occupational health risks throughout the life cycle of the plated parts.
Technology Solution Statement:
The Dripless Repair System (DRS) for LHE alkaline Zn-Ni application is a system designed and manufactured by ES3. The system places a handheld plating applicator over the metallic surface intended to be coated. The DRS applicator forms a seal around the surface to prevent dripping of the solution from the aircraft component. The DRS can controllably apply Zn-Ni plating to metallic substrates
on aircraft without removing the components and without uncontrollable waste that requires chemical containment and hazardous waste disposal.
Benefits Statement:
Project has significant positive impacts to mission and readiness.
- Potential to result in elimination of brush cadmium across the USAF and DoD
- Reduction in hazardous waste disposal and ESOH compliance costs associated with the use of brush Cd and hexavalent chrome.
- Eliminates the legal liabilities associated with cadmium, worker safety and health, cradle to grave management of previously Cd-plated parts, international requirements, etc.
- Allows for environmentally friendly, on aircraft repair saving time/cost compared to immersion Zn-Ni
