This initiative aims to reduce health risks to workers and lessen environmental impacts while safeguarding U.S. military aerospace assets from corrosion.
The University of Oklahoma (OU) has recently announced that it has secured a $4.8 million commitment from the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at the Tinker Air Force Base, in order to develop a non-toxic and chromium-free primer for aerospace applications. This new project is aimed at reducing both health risks and the environmental impacts, while also safeguarding at the same time the military aerospace assets from corrosion.
Led by OU’s Gallogly College of Engineering and the Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute, the initiative will evaluate both commercial and experimental primers to create an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chrome-based primers.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma began collaborating with the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (OC-ALC) in 2021, to explore and assess epoxy-based primer formulations. Their primary objective has been to aid the U.S. Air Force in phasing out hexavalent chromium, a hazardous material commonly used for corrosion protection. Additionally, they aim to lower costs associated with the use and disposal of hexavalent chromium, providing a safer and more sustainable solution for military aerospace applications.
“Our ability to collaborate with the University of Oklahoma researchers is vital to the Air Force’s ability to meet future mission challenges. This project is one of many that we are working with OU to improve our sustainment and modernization capabilities to further protect our workforce,” has stated Brian Moore, OC-ALC commander.
“This project greatly expands our ongoing research efforts to develop novel, chromium-free organic coatings. These primers will provide excellent corrosion protection and adhesion to pretreated aluminum alloys while offering exceptional fluid resistance and outstanding flexibility. The research team has developed several chrome-free prototype additive systems, and spray and testing infrastructure are in place. Application and evaluation of the formulation are underway,” has added John Klier, project principal investigator and dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering.
“Our bond with OU is instrumental to our ability to meet future mission challenges. These awards strengthen our educational partnership agreement with the OC-ALC and are an outstanding example of how the university’s growing research and development in the national security sector can impact some of the most pressing needs of the Air Force today and for years to come,” has concluded Robin Rand, executive director of OADII.