Sol-Gel Coatings for Mg Alloys

Indestructible Paint Limited, in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam Universities Materials Engineering Research Institute shall undertake a 12 month programme of development work in order to progress novel, initially successful materials, which can potentially be used as a substitute for Chromate coatings of Magnesium alloys. Chromates are set to be banned for such application through EU REACH legislation from 2016 onwards, and are currently widely used for coating of Magnesium alloys in the aerospace sector. Successful development will result in a pre-production Chrome free coating system, which will require industry development, testing and approval before it can be commerciallised. Regardless it will represent a significant step toward the elimination of Chromates in Magnesium treatment whichl has significant implications for the long term viability of aerospace manufacture in Europe.