High-Temperature/Lower Cost Appliqu¿ Material

"Current aircraft coating systems contain large amounts of VOC's, HAP's, and heavy metals, such as methylene chloride, methyl ethyl ketone, and chromium compounds. These chemicals pose a serious threat to the environment and the health of workers ataircraft maintenance depots. In order to address these problems, both Military and Commercial aircraft programs have been tasked over the last decade to investigate, fabricate, and commercialize paintless appliqu¿ systems that are environmentallyfriendly. In addition to addressing environmental concerns, these new appliqu¿ systems are being designed to reduce time-consuming paint application. This represents a major turning point in the way military aircraft are coated during manufacturing andmaintenance cycles.This proposal will focus on the development of novel fluoropolymer appliqu¿s that offer significant advantages when compared with current commercialized appliqu¿ systems. Fluoropolymer appliqu¿s with costs between $5 and $10 per square ft will bedeveloped. These appliqu¿s will have enhanced field operating characteristics and will exhibit thermal stability throughout a -65¿ F to 350¿ F range. The synthesis and formulation of a new pressure sensitive adhesive that will contain non-toxic corrosioninhibitors will also be investigated. No primer will be required for the proposed applique. The defense and commercial aviation industry will directly benefit from a one coat paint replace