PPG commercialises Aerocron electrocoat

PPG Industries’ aerospace coatings group has commercialised the first electrocoat-application primer for global airframe manufacturers and subcontractors to coat parts for commercial, military and general-aviation aircraft.

Aerocron electrocoat primer affords better corrosion protection than a conventional spray primer because electrocoating enhances part coverage, according to Mark Cancilla, PPG global platform director for aerospace coatings.

It also provides nearly 100% product utilisation, reduces primer weight for enhanced aircraft fuel economy and eliminates worker overspray exposure, he said.

PPG Aerospace is working closely with customers during the launch of Aerocron electrocoat primer to enable them to gain product and process experience before ramping up, Cancilla added. "As electrocoating was for the automotive industry, the process is truly revolutionary for aerospace primer application,” he said.

Primer is applied to metal aircraft structures for corrosion resistance. While primer is typically sprayed on to metal parts, in the electrocoating, or electro-deposition, process, metal parts are dipped into an electrically charged tank of primer.