The U.S. Navy engaged Foster-Miller on a project to demonstrate the feasibility of a solventless thermal spray process to apply high quality pigmented coatings to naval aircraft. This is a major step toward achieving corrosion inhibition of a primer combined with the flexibility and environmental durability of a topcoat in a single application.  In addition, our coating uses no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are known to harm the environment.

During the program, we evaluated advanced polymers that were ranked for their thermal, moisture, and chemical resistance properties. Two systems were selected for thermal spraying trials on aluminum and composite panels, with positive results. The program showed that a plasma thermal spray technique could be used to spray filled high performance, high temperature thermoplastic polymer coatings without the need for VOCs in processing.

These innovative environmentally compliant paints improve worker safety and reduce pollution. They match the performance of currently used solvent-based paints, cure at room temperature into tough adherent films, and are economical. Our paint is expected to find uses on military and commercial aircraft, automobile, marine and industrial applications. Foster-Miller continues developing this technology with commercial paint manufacturing companies.

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