PPG Industries' (NYSE:PPG) aerospace coatings group has qualified AEROCRON(TM) electrocoat primer to SAE International's Aerospace Material Specification 3144 for anodic electrodeposition primer for aircraft applications.

Qualifying Aerocron primer to the aerospace industry standard provides airframe manufacturers and subcontractors with third-party verification of its performance characteristics and attributes, according to Duane Utter, PPG global coatings segment manager, military coatings and classified products.

“PPG pioneered electrocoat primer technology for the automotive industry and has adapted it to meet the requirements of military, commercial and general aviation aircraft manufacturers and subcontractors,” Utter said. “With 50 years of automotive use confirming electrocoat's viability, AMS 3144 qualification of Aerocron chromate-free primer substantiates the benefits it provides for aerospace: better corrosion protection, more uniform application, nearly 100-percent product utilization, the ability for the process to be fully automated, reduced primer weight for enhanced aircraft fuel economy, and elimination of worker overspray exposure.”

Four variations of the PPG chromate-free primer have been qualified to AMS 3144 in order to meet specific customer or regional requirements.

Utter said PPG has been pleased with the level of customer interest since Aerocron primer was commercialized, with a growing number of tanks established at customer sites in military, commercial and general aviation to gain product and process experience before ramping up to full production.

Primer provides corrosion resistance to metal parts and is typically applied by spraying. In the electrocoating, or electrodeposition, process, metal parts are dipped into an electrically charged tank of Aerocron primer.