Chrome-Free Room Temperature Curing Fuel Tank Coating

ABSTRACT: Fuel tanks for aircraft commonly utilize a hexavalent chromated polyurethane coating acting as corrosion protective secondary containment for fuel. The coating service range is from -65 to 250oF. New effective coatings free of hexavalent chromium corrosion inhibitors and offering rapid development of ultimate cure properties are projected. Our proposed fuel tank coating offers good potlife, fluid resistance, thermal stability, corrosion protection, similar mechanical properties to the current fully cured polyurethane, with a one day room temperature complete cure time. TRI/Austin is proposing VOC and chrome free fuel tank coatings that cure completely and quickly. These new coatings can be applied using HVLP spray, brush, or roller. TRI/Austin intends on utilizing a systematic research and development approach to screen and optimize a best hexavalent chrome free fuel coating composition. Performance properties of the fuel tank compositions will be verified by an extensive test program throughout the Phase I effort. BENEFIT: These new fuel tank coatings can be utilized in the oil industry, aircraft, chemical storage, military operations, automotive, and for unmanned aerial vehicles fuel tanks. The immediate application for these new coatings is for the F-35 program, integral and external composite fuel tanks.