Innovation

1. Innovation • A molybdate-based conversion coating for aluminum and aluminum alloys as an environmentally benign replacement of chromate-based conversion coatings. Molybdate Conversion Coatings for Aluminum and Aluminum AlloysLynntech, Inc., College Station, Texas • Accomplishments • Development of an inorganic molybdate conversion coating that does not contain chemicals or materials that are hazardous, toxic, or give rise to health and safety concerns. • Successful demonstration of protection for greater than 336 hours during salt fog exposure, according to MIL-C-81706, for a wide range of aluminum alloys. • The molybdate conversion coating can be applied by dipping, painting, or spraying, with short treatment times at low temperatures, and is compatible with existing cleaning and pretreatment procedures. • Only commercially available chemicals and materials are used, which do not require special storage provisions and can be easily adapted into existing application methods. • Government/Science Applications • Government Applications • Navy (Std Missile, Phalanx, RAM, Tomahawk) • Air Force (ACM, AMRAAM) • NASA • DOD Prime Contractors • Industrial Applications • aerospace • boilers • air conditioners • aluminum construction materials • Commercialization • Lynntech, Inc. has applied for several patents relating to this technology. • Lynntech, Inc. has formed an alliance with multiple industrial partners in the metal finishing industry. • The commercialization strategy includes third party validation of the technology provided by leading end-users of chromium conversion processes through in-kind testing. • Points of Contact: • Louis McDowell, NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center (407) 867-3400 • Dr. Zoran Minevski, Lynntech, Inc., (409) 693-0017 • minevski@tca.net, www.lynntech.com • 1997 SBIR Phase II; NAS #10-97003 Kennedy Space Center 12-20-99 Success Story #10-013