IVD INFORMATION

ION VAPOR DEPOSITED ALUMINUM

             Let us help you understand what Ion Vapor Deposited Aluminum is, or I V D as it is commonly known.

             It was developed by McDonnell Douglas in St.  Louis for the Air Force. The
intent is to show that this is an effective coating for replacing cadmium for both the aerospace and commercial market.

             It was developed to solve a number of different problems. Corrosion was the major problem. I V D also avoids hydrogen embrittlement, galvanic corrosion, dissimilar metal problems, solid metal embrittlement (cadmium in contact with titanium), fatigue reduction  vs.  weight (on aluminum), and has worked in space.

           The process is the same no matter what size the chamber. The standard procedures are:  degrease the parts, aluminumoxide clean/ grit blast, I V D, glass bead, chromate seal.

           The I V D process begins once the parts are clean and put into an I V D Chamber. It is pumped down to a very low vacuum (8´10-5) at which time a power supply is turned on and the chamber is back filled with argon. This is called glow discharge cleaning. Then the chamber is pumped down again and ceramic heat resistant elements called boats are heated. Next, 99.9% pure aluminum wire is fed into them and vaporized.

            The I V D process is versatile and adaptable to a wide variety of parts, shapes, and sizes. It is not confined to line of sight.

            The current military specification for this is Mil-C-83488 , Revision C.  In this specification, there are three classes and two types. The coating thickness is controlled by the class call out:

Mil-C-83488 (2)Table I             Salt Spray Test (in hours)

             Class 1 is used for rack-coating parts or wherever good corrosion protection is needed. Class 2 is used where there might be some close tolerance that needs to be held. The blue print can call out other thicknesses. Class 3 is basically used for fasteners where the threads cannot stand a large build-up.

            The Type I call out is for “as coated” or coated and glass beaded. The Type II call out is for glass bead and a chromate conversion coat. The replacements for chromate conversion coating works for I V D the same as they do for other aluminum alloys.

The use of I V D Aluminum has many known advantages. Some of the advantages are:

·        It outperforms cadmium in actual service tests as well as acidic salt fog.

·        It has a 925° F (500° C) continuous service temperature.

·        It does not induce hydrogen embrittlement or solid metal embrittlement.

·        It helps to relieve dissimilar metal problems and galvanic corrosion.

·        There is no fatigue reduction factor for aluminum parts as is caused by anodize.

·        It is conductive.

 ·        It has good wrap around coating and is not held to line of sight.

 ·        It has no sublimation of the coating in a space environment.

            I V D Aluminum is the US Government’s choice as a cadmium replacement for all branches of the service: Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. Military standard 1568 identifies I V D Aluminum as an acceptable alternative to cadmium, citing its corrosion protection and non-toxic properties. The following is a list of programs using I V D :

                                            IVD     PROGRAMS

                                                                   Aircraft Military

                                                               Aircraft Commercial

 Missile

Helicopters

 Misc. Military

Misc. Commercial

In summary, the future of I V D Aluminum is expanding.  We have only started to find uses for it. Being environmentally clean, the door is open to replace cadmium today and other platings tomorrow.

 If we can help you please contact Sales or Estimating at (310) 637-1066

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