By Nano Materials and Processes, Inc.
Nanodiamond chroming, combines our detonation nanodiamonds with a base metal (e.g., nickel, zinc, copper, chromium, or tin) or noble metal (e.g., gold, platinum, or silver) to create an enhanced surface. Chroming can be performed by NanoMPI for one-offs to small production runs within the physical size limits of our chroming baths. Detonation nanodiamonds can be used in two different ways in custom coatings on metal surfaces, both resulting in significant measurable improvements. 1. Nanodiamond chroming reduces wear produced by friction between two metal surfaces. It is especially appropriate for stamping dies, machine tools, gearing systems, bearings, and the like. Nanodiamonds are applied to metal surfaces using the same chemistry used for electroplating, i.e., a chroming bath. 2. Nanodiamond coating has the additional ability of improving both the adhesion and appearance of additional coating materials such as paints applied to metallic surfaces. The Measure of Hardness Scale (MOHS) measures a mineral's resistance on a scale of 1 to 10 with a score of 10 given to the mineral with the highest scratch resistance -- the diamond. Detonation nanodiamonds which are carbon-based like diamond minerals also exhibit a MOHS equal to 10. This level of scratch resistance combined with the high surface tension of nanodiamonds facilitates surface adhesion of paints or other coatings. The application of detonation nanodiamonds to a metal surface may allow for a thinner application of a paint or coating while improving the surface integrity and life of the coating.
