The University of Oklahoma has received a $4.8 million commitment from the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex at Tinker Air Force Base to create a primer free of chromium containing materials to protect U.S. military aerospace equipment from corrosion.
Brig. Gen. MooreLed by the Gallogly College of Engineering and Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute at OU, this project will evaluate chrome-free commercial and experimental primers that eliminate exposure of materials of concern to workers as well as providing more environmental-friendly solutions.
“Our ability to collaborate with the University of Oklahoma researchers is vital to the Air Force’s ability to meet future mission challenges,” said OC-ALC commander, Brig. Gen. Brian R. Moore. “This project is one of many that we are working with OU to improve our sustainment and modernization capabilities to further protect our workforce.”
“This project greatly expands our ongoing research efforts to develop novel, chromium-free organic coatings. These primers will provide excellent corrosion protection and adhesion to pretreated aluminum alloys while offering exceptional fluid resistance and outstanding flexibility,” said John Klier, project principal investigator and dean of the Gallogly College of Engineering.
Beginning in 2021, university researchers began working with the OC-ALC to evaluate and identify epoxy-based primer compositions. Their goal was to help the U.S. Air Force eliminate the use of hexavalent chromium and reduce environmental impact and the associated costs with its use and disposal.
According to Klier, the research team has developed several chrome-free prototype additive systems, and spray and testing infrastructure are in place. Application and evaluation of the formulation are underway.
A military plane being painted with yellow primer.“Our bond with OU is instrumental to our ability to meet future mission challenges,” said Gen (ret) Robin Rand, OADII executive director. “These awards strengthen our educational partnership agreement with the OC-ALC and are an outstanding example of how the university’s growing research and development in the national security sector can impact some of the most pressing needs of the Air Force today and for years to come.”
Learn more about OADII’s innovative initiatives and the Strategic Research Framework from the Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships.
Klier will lead the project alongside Brian Grady, the Douglas and Hilda Bourne Chair of Chemical Engineering in the School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, and Wilson Merchán-Merchán, an assistant professor in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. The project will be managed by OADII Director of Operations LTC (ret) Cliff Wojtalewicz. OU signed an educational partnership agreement with the OC-ALC in July 2020 to cultivate aerospace and defense technology development and to improve and enhance education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Written by Josh DeLozier from Oklahoma University. joshdelozier@ou.edu
