MARLY, France, June 24, 2014 – European aerospace coatings customers of PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) heard the company’s technical experts discuss the benefits of AEROCRON(TM) electrocoat primer and shared their experiences at a seminar in Marly, France. Representatives from leading aerospace companies also witnessed operation of a pilot e-coat system at PPG’s Marly coatings research center and an automotive production tank.
The two-day event supported PPG’s continuing efforts to educate customers about the environmental, productivity, application and performance benefits of AEROCRON electrocoat primer technology for the aerospace industry, according to Daniel Bencun, PPG coatings segment manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
“Aerospace customers see large potential for PPG electrocoat technology for tier-one suppliers and directly with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers),” Bencun said. “They see it as eco-friendly and as a replacement for chromated primers while enhancing corrosion resistance and providing nearly 100-percent utilization. We are working closely with customers so that they have the knowledge they need to be confident in their ability to benefit from this game-changing technology.”
In the electrocoating process, metal aircraft parts are dipped into an electrically charged tank of AEROCRON primer. Historically sprayed onto metal parts, primer affords corrosion resistance and enhances topcoat adhesion. The water-based, chromate-free electrocoat primer produces near-zero waste, and the application process can be fully automated.
Customers in various stages of electrocoat process implementation shared their firsthand accounts at the seminar, Bencun said. The technical director of a parts coater operating a pilot tank described AEROCRON primer benefits, especially process efficiency and environmental aspects. Results of tests done on AEROCRON primer as a chromate-free technology alternative were discussed by the representative of an aerospace systems supplier. Two aerospace company officials talked about the company’s potential financial investment in the process as well as product performance.
Robin Peffer, PPG research associate at the company’s Coatings Innovation Center in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, described PPG’s work to adapt e-coat technology for aerospace use, including application at lower bake temperatures and being able to withstand the rapidly changing environment during flight.
Bencun told attendees that they have the ability to drive change within the aerospace industry. “I ask our customers to be part of the adventure as game changers and drivers of this new technology,” he said.
PPG plans to hold similar seminars in other regions.
What is electrocoat
Electrocoating, also called electrodeposition coating and commonly referred to as e-coat, uses electrical current to apply a coating to a conductive substrate submerged in a water-based paint bath. The process can be fully automated.
After pretreatment, a part enters an electrocoat bath where a charge is applied and the amount of primer needed is deposited onto it. Once coated, the part is rinsed to remove any residual primer, and then it is baked at a temperature that accommodates the aviation industry’s unique needs. AEROCRON primer is fully cured in about 30 minutes.
Advantages for the aerospace industry
AEROCRON electrocoat primer is water-based for low solvent emissions. Compared with conventional spray priming, e-coat provides increased productivity and efficiency, affording nearly 100-percent material utilization and no overspray. Also, the e-coat process produces minimal waste because it returns rinses to the electrocoat bath.
Additionally, e-coat provides uniform primer application, even in recessed areas, which results in excellent corrosion protection and durability. Only the amount of primer needed is deposited onto the metal surface, which results in the thinnest coating required and minimizes the weight of the finished part.
PPG has been a leader in developing e-coat products for half a century and was the first company to introduce e-coat technology commercially in an automotive OEM assembly plant. PPG’s e-coat products currently protect more automobiles produced worldwide than do those of any other company. In addition to protecting aircraft parts and car bodies, PPG’s e-coat helps provide corrosion resistance to automotive parts, household appliances, computers, and other electronic devices and mechanical parts.
PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer and distributor of aerospace coatings, sealants, and packaging and application systems. PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world’s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. For more information, visit www.ppgaerospace.com.
PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)
PPG Industries’ vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and specialty materials company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Net sales in 2013 were $15.1 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.
