Surface Technologies in Space Propulsion Manufacturing.

Pulse plating is a new electroforming technique that enables thick metallic layers to be built-up with excellent expansion, strength and ductile properties. This technique is used for our recently developed thrust chambers for Vulcain 2 and Vinci cryogenic rocket engines.

With the pulse plating technique, a source of electricity is applied in an electroplating bath. This source of pulse rectified electricity moves into the cathode area over a period of milliseconds and then into the anode area over the 0-point. The benefits of this technique are:

• The pulse curves significantly improves the mechanical properties of the pulse plated nickel.

• There is no need to add organic additives.

• Pulse plating enables significantly thicker layers to be built-up, for example with pulse plating, only two layers are required for the Vulcain 1 combustion chamber compared with 5 layers for the direct current technique. Consequently, the throughput time is reduced by more than 30 per cent.

Facilities

• Two nickel sulphate baths having a volume of 12,000 litres and 1,500 litres.

• A copper acid bath having a volume of 3,000 litres.

If you require more detailed information on any of our products or services, then please contact us, indicating your particular areas of interest or intended application. Your enquiry will receive our best attention.