Toronto-based Integran Technologies, Inc., recently received patent protection (US 8,309,233) for a newly developed technology within its Nanovate™ CoP platform, which extends the applicability of the core technology beyond that of being an environmentally-benign alternative to electrolytic hard chromium plating, or EHC. The new intellectual property now covers porosity-free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials, and -- unlike EHC -- does not compromise the fatigue performance of components, according to Integran. Under development for several years, the Nanovate™ CoP coating technology has been specifically formulated for aerospace and defense applications. When deposited on ferrous-alloy substrates, it exhibits a fatigue life equivalent to, or exceeding, that of the uncoated substrate material.
The Nanovate™ CoP technology has already been successfully transferred to multiple industry partners and in collaboration with NAVAIR, Integran is currently pursuing a military material specification (MIL SPEC) to aid in transitioning the technology to the defense sector.
"We are very pleased by the added patent protection obtained in the United States of America," said Dr. Klaus Tomantschger, Integran's vice president, intellectual property. "This ensures that our current and future commercial partners can enjoy the benefits of practicing our advanced patented technology until the expiry of the newly issued patent in 2029."
About Integran Technologies, Inc. Integran is a world leader in advanced metallurgical nano-technologies, providing a broad international base of customers with advanced process & product design solutions through R&D, material sales, contract manufacturing and technology licensing. Integran and its predecessor organizations have been at the forefront of metallurgical nano-technology development for more than 20 years. The company owns the intellectual property rights for the cost-effective production of metallurgical nano-structures, with more than 300 patent filings dealing with the structure, composition, processing and application of its revolutionary materials.