Corrosion Control Center Reduces Army Vehicle Maintenance Costs

CTC, working with the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, is redesigning and relocating the portable Corrosion Control Center (CCC) from Fort Hood to Fort Bragg.  In so doing, CTC is expected to reduce Army vehicle costs.  The new portable modular CCC will have the capacity to automatically apply corrosion inhibitor to 60 tactical vehicles per day.

Decreasing clients' corrosion costs and downtime.

Corrosion has a significant impact on readiness, reliability, maintenance, and cost of ownership of weapon systems and support equipment.  One study estimates that the cost of corrosion to the DoD is about $2 billion each year.  Of this total, approximately one third represents avoidable cost (cost that would be avoided through the use of corrosion prevention and control techniques).

The redesigned center will feature an enclosed “touch-free” spray application system that will completely cover a vehicle with corrosion inhibitor.  The application system is self-contained, efficient, and modular. 

Reducing maintenance costs through corrosion control advancements

CTC promotes a life-cycle approach to environmentally responsible, cost-effective manufacturing practices, which are transitioned to the DoD and private industry.  By helping the U.S. Army reduce corrosion-related costs and detrimental environmental impacts, we are extending vehicle service life, increasing mission readiness, and making military vehicles more reliable.

NOTE:  Through the National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence (NDCEE), CTC facilitated the design, construction, and demonstration of both manual and automated corrosion inhibitor application systems for Army tactical vehicles, such as HMMWVs and ground-support equipment at Fort Hood, Texas.  Both systems utilize non-hazardous materials and generate minimal waste.  Environmental impacts from stripping and repainting processes associated with vehicle maintenance are reduced by extending vehicle service life and lessening frequency of overhaul and repair operations.