PPG Industries’ aerospace business and Altair Nanotechnologies have formed an agreement for the development and commercialization of environmentally friendly nanoparticle technology to replace chromate in aircraft primer that affords excellent corrosion resistance in high-solids and waterborne formulas.
PPG and Altairnano will develop nanometal oxide dispersion technology under a three-year research agreement, with an added five-year contract for commercialization and supply that begins in 2008.
The development combines Altair­nano’s proprietary nanometal oxide dispersion technology and PPG’s proprietary resin to create a primer that will replace today’s chromate-based coatings, according to Paul Bowman, PPG Aerospace global business platform manager for coatings.
Under the agreement, Altairnano will make the nanometal oxide chemical dispersion using PPG’s proprietary resin technology to meet the final paint requirements.
“The technology will be developed for primer in both interior structural and exterior fuselage applications,” Bowman said. “It represents the first time we will be able to have a primer that works similarly to chromate-containing materials without the environmental issues involved in the use of chromates.”