AMCOM Hexavalent Chrome Free Initiatives

摘要

AMCOM G-4 is currently responsible for Army aviation and missile weapon system environmental life cycle sustainability. G-4 is actively engaged in initiatives to reduce the use of hexavalent chrome used in materials and processes for maintenance of AMCOM aviation assets. Starting in 2003, AMCOM G-4, working with NAVAIR and the Army Research Laboratory, tested a number of coating system combinations to determine if a fully non-hex chrome coating system could provide adequate protection and perform in real world environments. Lab testing was completed in late 2004 and an on-aircraft demonstration started in 2005. Based on test results, Aviation Engineering approved the use of these coatings and beginning in 2006, G-4 has been working with the AVCRADs, ACLC, Depots and other field units to facilitate transition of this technology. Several aircraft have now been painted with the hexavalent chrome free coating system and performance has been excellent. G-4 has used the success of this initiative to expand their efforts to address technologies that eliminate other Cr+6- containing coatings including magnesium pretreatments, missile component coating systems (pretreatments and primers), and other metallic pretreatments. Lastly, G-4 is initiating efforts to evaluate the use of alternative inorganic surface engineering processes such as aluminum anodizing. Funding for all existing test programs is provided by the Army Environmental Quality Technology (EQT), Sustainable Painting Operations for Total Army (SPOTA) Program and the National Defense Center for Energy and Environment (NDCEE) and testing is being conducted at AMRDEC, ARL and CTC.