Gennifer Rubin
Windermere, FL
Grade: 12, Lake Highland Prep School
Audrey Leasure
Windermere, FL
Grade: 12, Lake Highland Prep School
An intermetallic coating is a coating comprised of two or more metals (in this case, nickel and boron) that reduces friction while simultaneously increasing durability and lifespan of the object being coated. This invention results in the creation of a coating that uses Sodium Borohydride as the Boron source, rather than Boric acid, and incorporates Zirconyl ions as deposition enhancers to increase the percent of Boron in relation to Nickel that can be deposited onto the surface of a blade. This new Intermetallic coating is harder, cheaper, more friction resistant, and more environmentally friendly than any other coating on the market today. Currently, one in every third cast removal results in some kind of burn or laceration to the patient as burns and abrasions can occur from the heat created by frictional forces and direct blade contact. This coating may revolutionize the medical industry by preventing harms from medical saw blades. It may also be used in any metal-based industry, including automotive, oil and gas drilling, and food processing industries by reducing harsh abrasion. It is of importance to the military and armed forces as it uniquely reduces infrared emissivity by an effective means of heat distribution, making military devices practically invisible to infrared sensors. In addition, since this coating is harder than previous ones and more cost effective, it is a better alternative to current products to coat the barrels of guns.