The coatings on military equipment play a crucial role in the safety of soldiers. Providing corrosion resistance in a myriad of extreme environments, these advanced finishes keep equipment functioning for a long tour of duty. Just as important, sophisticated coating technology makes detection by enemy infrared sensors extremely difficult due to proprietary pigmentation techniques. This month we examine some the latest coating technologies used to protect our troops and the equipment they use.

I recall as a teenager in the ’70s listening late at night to the annual draft lottery on my transistor radio. I wondered where my number would come up. What if this was my year? Would I have a low enough number to receive a first class ticket to Vietnam? As fate would have it, the draft ended just before I graduated from high school. So there was no need to speculate about joining or taking my chances with the draft.

A couple years later during the 1978-79 recession, I was persuaded by our local recruiter to pursue a career path in the military. I patiently endured all the placement testing and the physical exam. Quite unexpectedly, I stopped minutes short of committing the next five years of my young life as I realized the misinformation and half-truths my recruiter had used to get me to that juncture.

I may never have served; however, many people close to me have. Consequently, I have always recognized and respected the commitment that our young people make when they join the armed forces. Regardless of our political bent, we all wish for the safety of our loved ones when they are faced with dangerous situations.

Not surprisingly, the coatings on military equipment play a crucial role in the safety of soldiers. Providing corrosion resistance in a myriad of extreme environments, these advanced finishes keep equipment functioning for a long tour of duty. Just as important, sophisticated coating technology makes detection by enemy infrared sensors extremely difficult due to proprietary pigmentation techniques.

This month we examine some the latest coating technologies used to protect our troops and the equipment they use. We discuss the latest advances in CARC technology, as well as recently approved non-hexavalent chrome treatments used to protect aluminum items used in the military.

Elsewhere we highlight some amazing innovations that are advancing finishing technology throughout the world. New materials and processes are emerging that offer lower VOCs (powder clearcoats), improved performance (fluorosilicone resins and retro-reflective powders) and more economical processes (NIR curing, electric reciprocators, cost effective cleaning and plating operating procedures).

Hats off to those who serve and to the people who make their job a little safer.