Project description
Non-toxic stripping methods for surface treatment
Surface treatment is a key technology used to fight corrosion for many industrial applications. Despite its toxicity, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) has been widely incorporated into coatings. In the form of chromate compounds, it provides excellent corrosion protection to nearly all metals in a wide range of environments. What’s more, Cr(VI) is also used to remove the protective oxide layers from the treated surfaces. Until now, finding suitable alternatives has been difficult for lightweight metals such as aluminium. To address this, the EU-funded project Cr Free REAL is developing an innovative process for removing metal coatings, without deteriorating the aluminium substrate. If successful, the new process will permit the development of non-toxic uniform metal surfaces with no holes.
Objective
In 2024 the use of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) will be forbidden by REACH regulation. Many studies have been carried out to replace Cr(VI)-based coatings for lightweight metals such as aluminium and have resulted in the development of new protective layers (SAA, TSA, Cr(III)-conversion coating). However, the removal of protective oxide layers is still performed with Cr(VI)-based stripping processes. Cr(VI)-free stripping with NaOH leads to deterioration of the substrate if the process time exceeds the specification of the very narrow process window.
The Cr Free REAL project aims to develop an innovative process for Cr free removal of anodic layers and conversion layers, which does not deteriorate the aluminium substrate within an applicable process window.
Commercially available or literature mentioned Cr(VI) free stripping agents will be tested and evaluated.
In the proposed approaches, it is planned to develop innovative acidic or alkaline stripping agents containing additives. Corrosion inhibitors (e.g. oxoanions, cerates, thiourea to prevent corrosive attack during the stripping process), accelerators (e.g. nitrates, glycolic acid to enhance the removal of the oxide layer), surfactants and complexants (to help obtaining a complete and uniform removal of the oxide layer and for increase of bath stability) will be employed.
The best performing stripping process will be tested on six types of machined and cast aluminium alloys for removal of Cr(VI)-based and Cr(VI)-free protective layers. The experiments will be performed on lab scale and pre-industrial samples, including complex-shaped parts with a size up to 400*300*200 mm. Specimens which are re-treated with Cr(VI)-free anodic and conversion coatings shall exhibit a corrosion stability with no pits after 500 hours SST and a low fatigue drop, which shall be lower or equal to specimens treated with state-of-the-art processes.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.3.4. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3.4.5.6. - ITD Systems
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
CS2-RIA - Research and Innovation action
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-CS2-CFP08-2018-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2700 Wiener Neustadt
Austria
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.