Chromate-Free Fuel Tank Coating

ABSTRACT: Current aircraft fuel tank coatings provide excellent corrosion protection but do so by incorporating chromates. Unfortunately, these hexavalent chromates are known carcinogens and their use and disposal is strictly regulated. An ideal aircraft fuel tank coating would provide effective corrosion protection without the use of chromates. In this Phase I proposal TDA will develop a chromate free, room temperature curing fuel tank coating using novel corrosion inhibitor additives. TDA has developed a new class of corrosion inhibiting materials that can dramatically increase the corrosion protection performance through a targeted extended release mechanism. In the Phase I project we will work with a major coating manufacturer to incorporate our corrosion inhibitors into a AMS-C-2775 fuel tank coating resin system to provide a coating whose protections equals that of the current system but contain no chromate. BENEFIT: The chromate free polyurethane fuel tank coatings are applicable to commercial as well as military aircraft. Further, the non-chromated corrosion inhibitor additives developed in this project can be used in military and commercial primers and coatings wherever corrosion protection is required. They could be used for corrosion protection for metals employed in a wide range of applications, including automotive, aerospace, bridges and building. They will provide effective corrosion protection without the health and environmental hazards of hexavalent chromates.