Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings has developed an epoxy primer formulated without hexavalent chrome, an environmentally harmful substance and a suspected carcinogen. The low volatile organic compound (VOC), two-component, corrosion-inhibitive epoxy primer is the only chrome-free combination primer/surfacer available to the aerospace market, according to Sherwin-Williams technical director Tim Scheuer.

The primer, labeled CM0481968, meets the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) latest standard for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (CR(VI)). With its development, Sherwin-Williams of Andover, Kan., has created a primer that can also be used as a high-performance surfacer, allowing aircraft painters to eliminate some steps in the painting process and decrease the amount of time and expense in completing a project. It is designed to meet the performance criteria set forth in MIL-P-23377, Type 1, Class N and Boeing BMS 10-79.