Technologies in the area of Coatings, Electrochemical and related Applications

Technologies developed in the area of coatings, electrochemical etc. are of importance in strategic and sensitive area. I) SUNSHIELD MIRRORS OF VHRR FOR INSAT II: The mirrors were made from Al alloy 6061 using triplex surface modification and polished with hard nickel to yield mirrors with low diffuse reflectivity (<0.1%) and high total reflectivity (>88%). II) SILVER PLATING OF MUX-DEMUX FILTERS OF NISAT II: The problem was to have reliable adherent of silver plating on invar to ensure uniform plating on internal contours. A plating bath that gave high throughput, uniform deposit and no laminar deposits and at the same time did not attack the brazed joints was designed. III) NICKEL PLATING PROCESS FOR SEAL DISCS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT: The development is first of its kind and permitted deposition of thick deposits of nickel free from nodule, pit and internal stress and a jig that ensured selective deposition as an annular ring with uniform thickness, process control instrumentation that controlled all critical parameters and also appropriate pre-plating sequence to provide excellent adhesion. IV) BLACK CHROMIUM PLATING FOR SOLAR ENERGY UTILISATION: The bath life is infinite. The coating is high absorptance, low emissivity, high thermal and UV stability, high resistance to corrosion and abrasion and the deposition is carried out at room temperature (less than 40 degree C) and can produce uniform deposit directly on copper. V) ELECTROCHEMICALLY ASSISTED MACHINE "NAL ELCHEMA": This machine is first of its kind accomplishing cutting by arcing in a specially formulated electrolyte which ensures fast cutting with straight cut edge and smoothie cut surface, cost effective and operates at low voltage gives 4-20 times the productivity of power hacksaw.