Aerospace Coating Aging Method Investigation

Artificial aging techniques are used to approximate the in-field conditions of aerospace coatings. The effects of artificial aging methods on the mechanical and chemical properties of United States Air Force (USAF) coating systems are generally unknown. Test specimens were prepared with an aerospace coating system and aged with four aging methods. Mechanical testing and chemical analysis of the test specimens were then performed. Aerospace Material Specification (AMS) MA48721 Method A aged specimens experienced significant degradation in hardness and tensile strength. The findings provide future USAF technology transition efforts with the means to make technically informed decisions regarding coating aging method selection.