Elimination of Hexavalent Chromium-Cadmium for Sustainment – Phase III
NCMS Project #: 142073
Problem: Transitioning away from Cd/Cr6+ to ZnNi is needed to ensure the safety of commercial operators and maintainers who work regularly on bridges, commercial vehicles and other legacy vehicles. ZnNi is a highly effective replacement for Cd/Cr6+ and Zn/Cr6+. This initiative intends to address the challenges inherent to this transition and the solutions derived will be extensible to the public and across the DOD.
Benefit: By taking the carcinogenic elements out of the workplace both the employee and employer should see a reduction in costs and lost workdays. In addition to environment savings, these coatings can potentially reduce corrosion and reduce the overall maintenance demand across all sectors.
Solution/Approach: Phase III intends to refine and implement the processes developed in previous phases by conducting a Bill of Material (BOM) analysis across several ground vehicle platforms, developing a list of fasteners that need to be migrated to ZnNi by identifying and defining replacement ZnNi fasteners, and analyzing a baseline cost estimate required to complete the replacement across multiple ground combat vehicle systems.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Increase worker productivity due to safer workplace environments
- Decrease healthcare and disability costs and exposure to harmful toxins
- Reduce toxic waste and environmental impact
- Improve warfighter readiness
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC)
- Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS)
- U.S. Army Combat Capability Development Command (CCDC) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC)
- PdM Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems
Industry Participation:
- BAE Systems
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- MNP Corporation
- SAIC
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Positive environmental impact
- Safety
Focus Area:
- Energy, environmental, health, and safety