Abstract:
Methods for repairing plated metallic layers on plated polymeric parts are disclosed. First, a polymer is formed into an article of a desired shape or geometry. The outer surface of the article is prepared to receive a catalyst and then the outer surface is activated with the catalyst. A first metallic layer is then plated onto the outer surface to form a structure. Optional additional metallic layers may be applied. Then, a defect in a damaged metal layer is repaired by brush plating or brush electroplating.
Abstract:
A vehicle component comprising a polymer substrate formed in a shape of the vehicle component, and a metallic plating layer plated on at least one surface of the vehicle product is described. The vehicular component may be an automotive crumple zone, a vehicle frames, vehicle wheels, bicycle wheels, motorcycle components, bicycle components, exhaust manifolds, all-terrain vehicle components, racecar body components, boat hulls, occupant cabin structures, marine propellers and hovercraft components.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a ceramic component is disclosed. The method may comprise: 1) forming a polymer template having a shape that is an inverse of a shape of the ceramic component, 2) placing the polymer template in a mold; 3) injecting the polymer template with a ceramic slurry, 4) firing the ceramic slurry at a temperature to produce a green body, and 5) sintering the green body at an elevated temperature to provide the ceramic component.
Abstract:
A method for balancing a rotatable component is disclosed This method comprises and then plating the component to deposit a metal layer onto the component until the component is balanced. In addition, and alternative method for balancing a rotatable component is disclosed. This method comprises attaching a balancing weight to the rotatable component and rotating the component. This is followed by plating the component and the balancing weight to deposit a metal layer onto the balancing weight and the component until the component is balanced.
Abstract:
A plated polymer component is disclosed. The plated polymer component may comprise a polymer substrate having an outer surface, a metal plating attached to the outer surface of the polymer substrate, and at least one interlocking feature connecting the polymer substrate and the metal plating. The interlocking feature may improve the interfacial bond strength between the polymer substrate and the metal plating.
Abstract:
Aviation components comprising a polymeric substrate having an outer surface wherein a metal is plated onto the outer surface to form a plated layer are disclosed. A method to make aviation components comprising a polymeric substrate having an outer surface and where a metal is plated onto the outer surface is disclosed. An over-plated heating element for shedding ice from an aircraft component having a polymeric substrate with a pocket to receive a heating element, a metal deposited onto the substrate, a heating element positioned within the pocket and a covering layer deposited onto the heating element and the plated layer is disclosed.
Abstract:
Plated polymeric components for construction and building material applications are disclosed. An over-plated fastened assembly may comprise at least two components, a fastener joining the at least two components, and a metal plating layer deposited over the at least two components and the fastener. A plated polymeric component may comprise a polymer substrate, a fastener hole formed in a body of the polymer substrate and configured to receive a fastener, and a metal plating layer plated on a wall of the fastener hole to provide a plated fastener hole. In addition, a plated polymeric wear component may comprise a polymer substrate formed in a shape of a wear component, and a metal plating layer deposited on a surface of the polymer substrate. The wear component may be a washer, a bearing, a bushing sleeve, a bearing sleeve, an expansion joint seal, a blade wear pad, or a duct seal.
Abstract:
A composite component and a plated polymer component are disclosed. The composite component may comprise a body portion formed from an organic matrix composite, a first metal coating applied to a surface of the body portion, and an outer metal layer on the first metal coating that is erosion-resistant. The plated polymer component may comprise a polymer substrate, a metal plating layer applied to a surface of the polymer substrate, and at least one selectively thickened region in the metal plating layer. The at least one selectively thickened region may assist in protecting the plated polymer component against wear and/or erosion.
Abstract:
Plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts and methods for fabricating lightweight plated polymeric gas turbine engine parts are disclosed. The parts include a polymeric substrate plated with one or more metal layers. The polymeric material of the polymeric substrate may be structurally reinforced with materials that may include carbon, metal, or glass. The polymeric substrate may also include a plurality of layers to form a composite layup structure.
Abstract:
A vehicular component comprising a polymer substrate formed in a shape of the vehicular component, and a metallic plating layer plated on at least one surface of the vehicular component is described. The vehicular component may be a pulley, a leaf spring, an impeller, a bearing ball, a compliant mechanism and a gear.