Tag Archives: electroplating

Integran’s nano-enabled electroplating process takes to the air

A Toronto-based (Canada) company has licensed its nano-enabled cobalt electroplating process to Pratt & Whitney Canada. From the March 26, 2012 news item on Nanowerk,

Toronto-based Integran Technologies, Inc. (Integran) today announced that it has licensed its nano Cobalt electroplating process (Nanovate™ CoP) to Montreal-based Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (PWCC) for deployment as an alternative to hard chromium electroplating in gas turbine power plant applications for aerospace use.

Integran’s nanotechnology can be used to replace existing hard chromium plating processes known to cause adverse health effects ranging from lung cancer to skin ulcerations. The highly efficient Nanovate™ CoP coating process avoids these health issues and furthermore reduces greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution.

Here’s a little more about Integran Technologies from their About Integran page,

Integran is a world leader in revolutionary metallurgical nano-technologies, pushing the boundaries of “lighter, better, cheaper” with products based on our “Nanovate” nanocrystalline metal platform. Integran and its predecessor organizations have been at the forefront of metallurgical nano-technology development for over twenty years. From the first large scale structural application for nano-structured materials in (the award-winning Electrosleeve process for nuclear steam generator repair) and one of the earliest issued US patents in the field of nanotechnology, Integran has established an international reputation for excellence in materials technology development and commercialization.

From Integran’s About Nanovate? page (Note: I have removed some links),

Integran is a world leader in development and manufacturing of revolutionary electrodeposited (plated) nanocrystalline “Nanovate™” metals.   Our nanotechnology enabled metals take
advantage of the fine crystalline grain structure to achieve superior performance at reduced weight vs conventional material solutions.  Our technology platform consists primarily of Nickel, Iron, Cobalt and Copper alloys that we use to create high performance parts that are:

  • Lighter, stronger, harder and cheaper than Aluminum
  • Corrosion and wear resistant
  • Shielded against low frequency magnetic interference
  • Efficiently absorb energy and noise

Here’s a diagram (full size available on the Integran Technologies website) illustrating the differences,

From the About Nanovate™ page on the Integran Technologies website

As for Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC), here’s more from the About PWC page,

Every second, a Pratt & Whitney Canada powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world.

We power the largest fleet of business and regional aircraft and helicopters – more than 45,000 engines around the world.

We boast 10,000+ operators and 700+ airlines in more than 195 countries.

PWC’s boasts make one wonder just how much revenue this contract will generate for Integran? There’s no mention of money in Integran’s press release.