New UV light cured coatings tested on C-130 and F-16

[DieselDragRacer]

I didn't know if this would interest any of you but thought I would pass it along anyway. The way you would "cure" one of these UV initiated coatings on plane would involve using essentially glorified tanning lamps. I would guess they would have big mobile UV lamp units capable of going all around the aircraft which is a feat on something like a C-130.

If any of you guys know more, I would like to hear about it.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC develops & tests UVA-curable coatings for aircraft topcoats
Pittsburgh, June 15, 2010 — Ultraviolet A (UVA)-curable coatings are being researched as an alternative to traditional two-component (2K) polyurethane aerospace topcoats because of their rapid cure rates, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), low volatile hazardous air pollutants (VHAPs) and high performance properties.


Bayer MaterialScience LLC and Deft Inc., one of the leading suppliers of coating systems for the aerospace and industrial markets, developed UVA-curable coating formulations that were evaluated against aerospace standards for topcoats. Based on these findings, Todd Williams, industrial post-doctoral researcher, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, presented “Development of UVA-Curable Coatings for Aircraft Topcoats” at the recent RadTech’s UV/EB 2010 Technology Expo and Conference in Baltimore.
Conventional coatings in the aerospace market historically have been based upon 2K polyurethane coatings that require 72 hours to fully develop their physical properties. The development of UVA-curable aerospace coatings is targeted to significantly decrease refurbishing time through greatly reduced curing time.


According to Williams, UVA-curable coating formulations display promising physical properties. A UVA-curable formulation was applied to C-130 and F-16 aircraft as a stencil coating and was periodically evaluated for color change and gloss retention. After 600 flying hours, the stencil coatings on the C-130 had ∆E values comparable to the conventional polyurethane fluoropolymer coatings.


Aerospace coatings require a compromise of both chemical resistance and flexibility while maintaining hardness. In this study, formulations that yielded such a balance of chemical resistance, flexibility, and hardness were obtained using a combination of hard and soft urethane oligomers and reactive diluents.


Williams explained, “Gloss reduction of these coatings was achieved through a combination of flatteners and oxygen inhibition, leading to flexible, low gloss formulations.” He continued, “Weathering of UVA aerospace systems is another critical property that can be chiefly controlled by raw material selection.” Through this evaluation, the overall performance of UVA-curable coatings has been shown to rival that of conventional polyurethane coatings.


Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

http://www.bayerus.com/News/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=3CA7F4F5-AE57-3F02-75D53BB7B24A5FC8

 

[SIG600]

Someone is spinning their wheels. The USAF may take a little pride in painting their airplanes, but have they seen a USN or USMC jet lately? Primer grey. Coming off the boat they may be several different shades of grey, with greasy hand prints all over them. We don't seem to really care about asthetics as much about corrosion control.

 

[JungleJett]

Someone is spinning their wheels. The USAF may take a little pride in painting their airplanes, but have they seen a USN or USMC jet lately? Primer grey. Coming off the boat they may be several different shades of grey, with greasy hand prints all over them. We don't seem to really care about asthetics as much about corrosion control.

The USAF is pretty wrapped up in outward appearance...just look at the stupid uniform changes over the past few years!

Our helo's are pretty beat though...we have dust and sand in them still from past deployments.