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Apache in the News
Boeing Spreads Use of Chrome-Free Paint
By Carrie Thearle and Daryl Stephenson
Boeing Photo
Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) has begun using some environmentally friendly, chrome-free primer already being applied to AH-64D Apache helicopters.
In August 2009, Boeing delivered a 777-300ER to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with a chrome-free primer and chrome-free exterior decorative paint on the airplane. This offering is part of The Boeing Company’s lifecycle approach to reducing environmental impact.
In addition to simplified health and safety monitoring requirements, a chrome-free primer reduces the environmental impact of the paint and stripping process.
Removing chrome from the paint and primer eliminates the need for special handling of paint waste, clean up and designated offsite disposal areas.
This technology has been used on the AH-64D Apache helicopter at the Boeing facility in Mesa, Ariz. for several years. Boeing will apply the non-chrome paint and primer on up to 14 airplanes across Boeing models for in-service evaluation with the intention of making it a standard option in the future.