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Discover our complete solutions portfolio covering Cathodic Protection and Corrosion management - PCB design and plating - Functional and decorative plating - Electrocoating - Acoustics
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Elsyca V-PIMS
A revolution in digital PIMS combining Pipeline Corrosion Integrity Management System (PIMS) and computational modeling capabilities
Elsyca IRIS
Deep analysis of AC threats supporting efficient mitigation systems computer-aided design
Elsyca CatPro
Graphical simulation platform for cathodic protection and DC stray current analysis of pipeline networks
Elsyca CPManager
3D CAD-based software simulation platform for the computer-aided design and analysis of cathodic protection installations
Elsyca ACTA
Unique solution offering accurate, disambiguated, and tailored risk ranking report of pipeline networks
Plate
Elsyca PlatingManager
Leverage a digital twin of your plating line to predict plating performance and increase manufacturing capacity
Elsyca PCBBalance
The world’s only PCB DFM software that applies automated and optimized copper balancing to your PCB design and panel layout.
Elsyca PCBPlate
State-of-the-art graphical simulation platform for enhancing the plating performance of your PCB panel and pattern plating processes.
Elsyca ECoatMaster
CAD independent software platform for the simulation of the automotive electrocoating process of a body-in-white (BIW).
Elsyca EPOS
Simulate the performances of electropolishing processes based on a virtual mock-up of the electropolishing cell.
Elsyca AnodizingManager
State-of-the-art graphical simulation platform for analyzing the production performance and quality of anodizing processes.
Innovate
Elsyca CorrosionMaster
CorrosionMaster identifies corrosion hot spots and predicts corrosion rates, enabling engineers to look at alternative material combinations and/or coating systems, or investigate corrosion-mitigating measures.
Elsyca LeakageMaster
Improve vehicles interior acoustic comfort by performing upfront virtual smoke tests.
Elsyca MeshingMaster
Automatically creates meshes for a variety of applications such as acoustics, CFD, thermal analysis, etc
Elsyca XPlorer
Interactive simulation results viewer for Finite Elements results
Elsyca XPlorer3D
Analyze, Understand and Get Immersed in your results

Impact of Cr(VI)-free electroplating processes

Cr(III) electroplating digital twin concept

Impact of Cr(VI)-free electroplating processes

Why do I need a Cr(VI)-free process?

Context & regulations

United States

  • Decorative plating businesses will be required to cease Cr(VI) use by 2027
  • Hard chrome plating plants will be required to do so by 2039

European Union

  • Complete ban on Cr(VI) plating, starting in 2024
  • Seems to be postponed to 2026 (ECHA data)

Impact businesses?

  • Need to find and evaluate alternatives and impact on process
  • Need to validate impact on product performance (corrosion, looks,…)

What is impact on process & product performance?

Cr(III) – chloride or sulphate-based solution?

Chloride basedSulphate based
Plating speedPlate twice as fast as sulphateLower speed
Tanks anodesGraphite base anodesMMO (Metal Mixed anodes)
Corrosion test USCAR(*)Better performanceLower compared to chloride

(*)USCAR (United States Council for Automotive Research, LLC) is a collaborative automotive technology company whose member companies include Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Stellantis. Their primary goal is to strengthen the technology base of the United States auto industry with research and development. In 2020, USCAR released the findings of its “Final Assessment of Decorative Trivalent Chromium Exposure in Winter Environments” study. A summary of the study was published in the March 2020 issue of Products Finishing.

Electroplating digital twin concept

What is impacted by switch


Plating bath analysis

How to update bath specifics?
  1. Sent a sample of the Cr(III) bath + sample of Ni bath to Elsyca (1/2 gallon)
  2. Elsyca will perform analysis
  3. Elsyca will return configuration files
  4. Customer adds these files to Elsyca PlatingManager
  5. Ready to go!

Upfront electroplating process analysis

Cr(VI) electrolyte performance versus Cr(III)

Conclusion


Regulations force to move to Cr(VI)-free electroplating processes



Cr(III) baths can be used, but require changes to production


Elsyca PlatingManager is ready to support these changes, only needs:

  • Updated production line information (new Cr(III) tanks) à By Elsyca
  • Updated electrolyte information à By Elsyca
  • Update process parameters à By customer


No changes in process flow using Elsyca on process validation