PPG Industries has been awarded a contract for the development of a powdered version of the chemical-agent-resistant coating (CARC) system for use on military vehicles and support equipment.

Awarded by the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), the $1.5m contract covers production of a CARC powder topcoat using standard powder formulation techniques that complies with the DoD’s specific requirements.

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The company, which is a US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) qualified CARC systems powder primer producer, will collaborate with ARL for production of a powder topcoat that addresses military specifications for ultraviolet (UV) durability, matte finish and resistance to chemical agents.

"Developing a CARC powder topcoat would benefit both DoD and commercial enterprises because of inherent program environmental health and safety standards."

The powder topcoat is also required to be compatible with pre-treatment and primer products that have already been manufactured and approved for CARC applications.

PPG senior scientist Lawrence Fitzgerald said: "PPG has developed proprietary processing and resin-synthesis capabilities for powder coatings that we believe will support development of powder CARCs meeting the MIL-PRF-32348 specification."

ARL Weapons and Materials Research Directorate Organic Coatings Team leader and DoD CARC commodities manager John Escarsega said: "Developing a CARC powder topcoat would benefit both DoD and commercial enterprises because of inherent program environmental health and safety standards."

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The demand for powder coatings is on the rise due to its safe application mode when compared with many existing liquid alternatives, and also due to no emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or hazardous air pollutants (HAP).

Pursued in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the SERDP aims to use the latest science and technology to enhance the DoD’s environmental performance, lower costs, and also improve and sustain mission capabilities.

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