EVALUATION OF COATING SYSTEMS FOR HIGH STRENGTH, LOW ALLOY STEEL EXTERIOR MISSILE AND ROCKET CASINGS

Existing coating systems were evaluated by exposing coted metal specimens to environments to which missile and rocket casings may be exposed during fabrication, storage, shipment and readiness. SAE 4340 steel was the substrate material. The protection afforded the substrate was evaluated by direct tests of the coatings or by the change in the performance of the coating or substrate following exposure to various adverse environments. Sixteen coating systems were studied. Tension, fatigue, embrittlement, abrasion, adhesion, flexibility, stress-corrosion, thermal change and humidity, accelerated weatheing, and salt spray corrosion were the tests made. Author