PPG Industries recently announced that it has received a $1.5 million award from the federal government’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) to develop a chemical-agent-resistant coating (CARC) in powder form for use on military vehicles and support equipment. Already qualified by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) as a producer of powder primer for CARC systems, PPG is now collaborating with ARL to fulfill the challenge of developing a powder topcoat that will meet military standards for ultraviolet (UV) durability, matte finish, and resistance to chemical agents.

The powder topcoat also must be compatible with pretreatment and primer products already developed and approved for CARC applications. To date, no coatings manufacturer has reportedly been able to develop a CARC powder topcoat that achieves this required combination of properties using standard powder formulation techniques.

“Combining PPG’s coatings expertise with the critical design requirements of the U.S. Army makes this partnership ideal,” said John Escarsega, who leads the Organic Coatings Team within the ARL’s Weapons and Materials Research Directorate. Escarsega also serves as the Department of Defense (DoD) commodities manager for CARCs. “Developing a CARC powder topcoat would benefit both DoD and commercial enterprises because of inherent program environmental health and safety standards.”

For additional information, visit www.ppgindustrialcoatings.com.