Research > Surface Treatment Department
The surface treatment department (TDS) currently pursues its research in the development of model nano-materials obtained electrolytically (composite materials by inclusion of particles or alternated microstructures) as well as in research to determine the microstructural characteristics of chromium deposits. In addition, the TDS department is in charge of various industrial and European contracts.
In the field of model materials and nano-materials, Cr-Ni multilayers for application in mechanics and microelectronics (giant magneto-resistance effect GMR) and electroplated composite materials are being studied to refine preparation methods by an electrochemical approach and to develop characterization methods for the physicochemical properties.
European or international contracts can be cited, such as :
The "ECOCROM" program : an industrialization study of a hard chromium plating process starting from trivalent chromium solutions (20 partners in 10 different countries). The "ILE" program which addresses the synthesis of effluent recycling processes in industrial activities The European Collective Research Pilot Action program called "CHROMATEX" addressing the substitution of hexavalent chromium in automobile and aeronautical industry manufacturing processes using zinc or aluminium alloys substrates (4 professional organisations, 5 research centres and 80 small and medium-sized companies in 4 different countries).
Additionally several direct industrial contracts are in progress : on steel sheets electrolytically plated with zinc, a program aimed at studying and developing less polluting, alternative anti-corrosion processes for hexavalent chromium on laser systems, a study of the influence of Laser irradiation (Nd/YAG) on the microstructure of target materials. on a pilot study of a purification and recycling process for used chromic and acid solutions. This study should lead to industrial use of the process in 2003.