Environmentally-Compliant Inorganic Material(s) for Corrosion and/or Wear Protection of Structural Metals on Military Aircraft and Weapon Systems

The proposed project will focus on qualifying amorphous-iron Particle Reinforced Metal Matrix Composite (PRMMC) coatings as replacements for Electrolytic Hard Chrome (EHC) and HVOF WC- Co wear and corrosion resistant coatings on high-strength steel components. These legacy coatings have been identified on the OSD Emerging Contaminants Watch or Action Lists, and future manufacture and maintenance of military aircraft and weapon system components will require use of Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) compliant materials to meet the needs of the Department of Defense. Inovati demonstrated through the prior STTR Phase II project that amorphous-iron PRMMC coatings have good prospects for providing alternative coatings that are Heavy Metal Free (HMF) with wear and corrosion resistance comparable to these legacy coatings. Qualifying these environmentally compliant coatings to a TRL of 7 for transition to military depots for maintenance and life extension sustainment of military aircraft and weapon system components is the primary objective of this project.