The application of AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings’ Aerowave to the first Eurofighter EF2000 recently took place at Cassadian in Germany. The usage of the water based and chrome free system Aerowave 2002 and Aerowave 5001 at Cassadian follows several years of preparation and shop trials to qualify. Aerowave 5001 is a two-component, waterborne polyurethane finish which is flexible and easy to mix, offering less labour intensive requirements. The product provides good substrate wetting properties along with exceptional sag resistance with a layer thickness of only 15-20 μm (45-50 μm wet). Aerowave 5001, approved to specification R40-6309 is a Chemical Agent Resistant (CARC) topcoat, available in a range of camouflage colours, suited to the defence industry.
The Aerowave range is fully REACH compliant waterborne technology, with all the associated structural products surpassing the traditional issues associated with older waterborne technologies: easy to mix, easy to apply and quick to dry, whilst being energy efficient.