Home About Us Contact Us Links
A painter applies a chromium 3 primer to a Blackhawk helicopter.
Paul Simmons
A painter applies a chromium 3 primer to a Blackhawk helicopter.
Installation

Connecticut Army National Guard

Project Title

Connecticut Guard Finds Sustainable Paint

Project Description

The Connecticut Army National Guard (CTARNG) has found a new coating system that can be used to paint aircrafts and other equipment. The paint performs better than the standard system and it is safer for human health and the environment. The new paint lacks chromium 6, which is a known carcinogen.

The sustainable paint uses chromium 3 instead of Chromium 6, and is a water-based, chemical-agent-resistant coating system that exceeds the performance of the old system. The replacement coating system leaves a smoother finish coating and is more resistant to fading and chalking, which minimizes the need for cosmetic painting. The new chromium 3-based coating system is safer because it reduces the use of hazardous materials and the release of potentially harmful air emissions. It also significantly reduces the harmful chemicals that are present when disposing of paint stripping waste.

The chromium 3-based painting system is a leap forward for the Army. Partnering with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, the Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) initiated and now manages the effort to promote use of the new paint system in both military and private organizations. "The Connecticut Army National Guard's work represents a significant improvement that can be applied to the Department of Defense and the civilian community," said Mal McLeod, a program manager with the Army Corps of Engineers. "The CTARNG program is an excellent example of focusing on the mission and implementing more sustainable methods to get it done," McLeod said.

Benefits
  • Mission Chromium 6 plays a major role in aircraft maintenance for the Army. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released more stringent regulations for permissible exposure limits of chromium 6, and the maintenance team at the 1109th AVCRAD initiated a rigorous hunt for a suitable replacement of chromium 6-based paint. Finding an alternative to the standard chromium 6 paint system allowed the CTARNG to meet its mission.
  • Community The new paint system will also be promoted to private organizations, which will minimize the risk of harm to human health and the environment within the community.
  • Environment Reduces the use of hazardous materials and the release of potentially harmful air emissions. It also significantly reduces the harmful chemicals that are present when disposing of paint stripping waste.
Point of Contact

U.S. Army Environmental Command Public Affairs Office: (410) 436-1654



Last modified on
Problems? Suggestions? Administrative Notice