| Airframe paints. | | | | Traditionally, aerospace coatings contained high |
| Perhaps the primary function of aircraft coatings is to | | | | amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); |
| protect the airframe from corrosion. Today's R&D | | | | essentially solvents used to carry the pigment in the |
| programmes look closely at fuel saving and cost | | | | paint. As the paint dried the VOCs evaporated, |
| cutting. Aerospace coatings take a lot of punishment. | | | | damaging the environment (depleting the ozone |
| A commercial short-haul aircraft is subject to huge | | | | layer) and potentially, the health of those applying the |
| temperature changes as it climbs to a typical cruising | | | | coating. Many VOCs have been classified as toxic and |
| altitude of 35,000ft to experience temperatures | | | | carcinogenic. |
| below -50'C and high levels of short-wave radiation. | | | | New aviation coatings, made from non-chromate |
| Structural flexing, changing air pressure, exposure to | | | | materials, offer performance levels that at one time |
| cleaning agents, water, fuel and other chemicals can | | | | could only have been achieved with high VOC, |
| all result in corrosion of the aircraft skin. If corrosion | | | | chrome-containing paints. Even coating-removers are |
| occurs and is left unchecked, it will result in pitting, | | | | now water-based. |
| which could compromise the integrity of the airframe. | | | | Low VOC coatings are better for the environment, |
| Anti-static conductive epoxy coatings control static | | | | but they do present challenges because of their |
| charge and surface conductivity, high-temperature | | | | low-solvent, high-solid content. Ultra-high solids |
| coatings resist temperatures as high as 500°C and | | | | coatings now last four to eight years and are better |
| anti-chafe coatings with a Teflon additive resist | | | | value, fewer coats are needed, so less coating is |
| abrasion in areas such as wing flaps. | | | | used, there is a subsequent saving in labour costs |
| Airline liveries. | | | | and turnaround times and crucially, the finished |
| Aircraft liveries are increasingly used for brand | | | | coating weight is less. |
| identification, a marketing tool for airlines, because | | | | The smoothness of the surface finish on final |
| customers identify the exterior of the aircraft with | | | | topcoats effects drag and fuel efficiency. The |
| the flying experience. Corporate colours and | | | | accumulated weight of the coatings is a factor, but |
| redesigned livery can project a powerful brand with | | | | rivets and seams need to be hidden. The turnaround |
| all that that brings with it. | | | | time can be drastically reduced if the materials dry |
| Water-based aircraft paints. | | | | quickly. |