In ECOLAND project, a comparative study of the properties, considering aeronautics standards, of two anaphoretic coating systems, has been carried out in Al 7000 alloys. Moreover the comparison of these systems and a chrome-containing anodizing process have been also performed.
The selected e-coatings were an epoxi highly pigmented anaphoretic system (currently approved by some aeronautical companies) and a colloidal polyurethane anaphoretic system (easier for industrial implementation). Process parameters to apply the colloidal anaphoretic system have been also adapted during the project in order to meet the aeronautical standards.
TRL 5 has been achieved during the project. Project technology has been validated in relevant environment. Polyurethane colloidal e-coating with a thin anodising layer have been applied on validation panels and project demonstrators in Cidetec´s pilot plant. Panels have been validated under aeronautical standards.
The results of this work have shown that both, pigmented and colloidal systems, have good adherence, scratch and erosion resistance, chemical resistance, similar fatigue behaviour to the row materialand very good paintability,.
Main Project results are the following four:
• Pre-treatment modified formulations and the pre-treatment method (by CIDETEC)
• Modified anaphoretic e-coating formulations and e-coating method applied on AA7xxx and AA2xxx alloys, to be exploited by LVH Coatings as main seller;
• Coated and tested demonstrators, which will be showed in different fairs and industrial conferences;
• Conclusions from big specimens e-coating, including the environmental and cost analysis. Some of these results will be presented in industrial conferences and published in scientific articles.
