Nonchromate
Primer for
Aircraft Exteriors
(Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems Group)
Project Number: J-95-OC-002
Chromate primers are commonly applied to surfaces such as aircraft exteriors to provide corrosion protection to aluminum and steel surfaces. These primers contain hexavalent chromium, which is a significant human health concern. The current OSHA PEL for chromium is 100 (µg/m3), reported as hexavalent chromium. Within the next few years, OSHA is expected to reduce the PEL for hexavalent chromium to within the range of 5 µg/m3 down to 0.5 µg/m3. Many facilities will experience difficulties in ensuring that worker exposure meets these more stringent limits while continuing present practices in using chromate primers.
The JG-PP Nonchromate Primers for Aircraft Exteriors project is intended to reduce worker exposure to hexavalent chromium and the resulting control measures by identifying and validating nonchromate primers for use on aircraft exterior surfaces that meet performance requirements. Stakeholders for this JG-PP project include B-A&M government purchasing managers, DoD coating experts, program managers for DoD aircraft, and the laboratory "owners" of existing military specifications for aircraft coatings.
The project participants have defined a JTP to verify the performance of alternative coatings. Laboratory testing of nine nonchromate primers was completed in 1997, and two nonchromate primers from that laboratory testing are now being evaluated on operational aircraft. Implementation of a qualified alternative will reduce chromium release from the B-A&M site in St. Louis, Missouri. In addition, it has been estimated that use of a nonchromate primer on DoD aircraft will result in cost avoidance of at least $1 million and up to $32 million over twenty years from implementation of a nonchromate primer.
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This site last updated February 28, 2008.
Send all questions and comments to jgpp@ctc.com