SBIR-STTR Award

In response to the universal realities associated with material properties, Universal Global Products, LLC develops and manufactures a family of boron coating solutions that are thermo-chemically diffused into a number of underlying materials that enhance their chemical and mechanical properties while maintaining the integrity of the core materials. Core materials principally include titanium and titanium alloys, magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, ferrous metals, nickel-based alloys, transition metals, as well as cermets. The primary advantageous properties of boron coated materials are their enhanced wear, corrosion, galling, and fretting resistance with less friction. At present time, wear-resistant coatings on lightweight alloys are not widely used in military applications. The proposed advanced multifunctional boron coatings will benefit the surface material performance in complex environmental conditions, and increase operational life of military components.

Keywords:
Boronizing Coating, Lightweight, Titanium Alloy, Wear, Corrosion, Lubricious, Galling, Fretting

The main goal of this project is to develop and implement wear resistant boron coating for lightweight alloys for military application. The superiority of boronized coatings, demonstrated in Phase I, to enhance the wear-resistance of lightweight alloys will be applied and tested to specific small arms components during Phase II. In Phase II, we look forward to optimizing our process, demonstrating the repeatability of our process and building a pilot-scale facility at the ARDEC Prototype Integration Facility (PIF) to expedite the transfer of the company''s technology to the US Army.

Keywords:
Wear Resistant Coating, Boron Coating, Lightweight Alloy, Galling, Abrasion, Ti-6al-4v, Small Arms Components, Lubricious Coating