Novel totally chrome free corrosion inhibiting coating technology for protection of aluminium alloys

摘要

A totally chrome free coating technology for the protection of aluminium alloys has been developed. This novel technology is a significant step forward in the field of chrome free corrosion inhibition and provides a sustainable and eco-efficient coating solution for both exterior and structural applications in aerospace coatings. The quest to replace hexavalent chromium containing corrosion inhibitors has taken years and continues. The aerospace industry still relies on the inhibiting power of hexavalent chromium to protect the metal parts of the aircraft. Over the recent years, efforts to develop chrome free technology have been accelerated due to health and safety and environmental concerns, and new legislation such as REACH. This puts pressure on the coating industry to change and deliver total chromium free technology solutions and has resulted in several chrome free pretreatment and coating systems for the aerospace industry. Although field experiences on aircraft with chrome free alternatives performed well when applied on exterior surfaces, hexavalent chromium pretreatments were still necessary to comply with the requirements of specific corrosion tests such as neutral salt spray (ASTM B-117) and filiform (EN3665).