Abstract
In the coating stack applied to military aircraft, hexavalent chromated primers are often used to protect the underlying aluminum structure from corrosion. However, heightened concern over toxicity has led to increased regulation of hex-chrome use and to petitions for their complete replacement with chrome-free inhibitors. Carbon nanotubes are of prominent interest due to their unique physical properties and potential to enhance the corrosion resistance of coatings through increased barrier protection and mechanical strength. In combination with common corrosion inhibitors they can provide synergistic effects enhancing corrosion resistance. Our labs have been developing an innovative chrome-free corrosion resistance primer based on the incorporation of carbon nanotubes. The primer has demonstrated excellent corrosion resistance in both neutral and acidified salt fog testing. The resulting non-chrome primer system holds benefit to the military and commercial industry by providing both enhanced corrosion resistance and an environmentally safe coating option.
