Aerospace Coatings

When it comes to airplanes, the coatings that go on them represent a highly technical challenge for paint makers as they are the most demanding of all paint systems. They need to be able to deal with temperatures ranging from -48˚F in the air to 120˚F on the ground, as well as having to withstand strong UV exposure at 30,000 feet. In addition to coping with extreme temperature fluctuations they must resist cracking due to rapid changes in air pressure. They also need to resist erosion from air drag and deflect the impact of dust traveling at 500 mph, which has an effect similar to sandpaper. On the ground, aircraft coatings also have to withstand contact with aggressive fluids such as fuel, deicing fluids and hydraulic liquids.

That's not all. Airplanes also have to look good. Attractive colors and unique paint schemes are how we're able to identify and distinguish one airline from another. We can all tell the difference between Continental and FedEx carriers at a glance.

Clouds gather over aviation industry

The aviation industry has been flying through rough turbulence due to record high crude oil prices. Global cru