Burlington, ON, [March, 02, 2026] — MG Chemicals announced today that it is supporting the aerospace and defence industries with our electrically conductive paint to help create lightweight mission-critical parts. These coatings allow designers to substitute polymer materials for heavier metals, thus improving aerodynamics without sacrificing durability or electromagnetic interference (EMI) susceptibility.

Aerospace equipment must often withstand forces far beyond those experienced by standard consumer technologies. Traditionally, metals have been the material of choice for these demanding environments due to their strength, durability, manufacturability, and intrinsic EMI shielding capabilities. The relatively high weight of solid metal however, can negatively impact performance and decrease efficiency.

With advanced conductive coatings such as MG Chemicals’ 841AR acrylic nickel conductive paint, manufacturers can replace heavy, solid metal components with electroplated lightweight, high-performance polymers for enhanced strength and surface durability. The result is a dramatically lighter, hybrid solution that maintains (and in some cases improves) durability and impact resistance.

While electroplating is often associated with decorative finishes, forward-thinking manufacturers are using 841AR to enable structural, functional metal replacement. When applied over high-performance polymers, 841AR creates a conductive surface suitable for electroplating metal finishes like copper, transforming lightweight plastic components into robust, metal-plated parts capable of meeting rigorous aerospace and defence requirements.

841AR is an acrylic-based, nickel conductive paint with key characteristics that make it ideal for electroplating:

• Economical – Delivers excellent electroplating results without the high cost associated with highly conductive metals such as silver.
• Excellent Adhesion – The acrylic binder system bonds effectively to a wide range of substrates, especially plastics, and is safe for use on polystyrenes.
• Ease of Application – 841AR can be applied by brush or spray, making it ideal for parts with complex or intricate geometries.

Applications

Aircraft

• Applied over high-performance polymers to replace aluminum engine components, delivering lighter parts with improved surface durability and impact resistance.

Space

• Used on high-performance polymer substrates to enhance strength for structural components while significantly reducing weight and providing effective EMI shielding. For satellite applications, low outgassing performance is typically required; as 841AR is solvent-based, its suitability should be evaluated to ensure all volatiles are fully removed during processing to mitigate outgassing risk.

Defence

• Deployed to replace solid internal frames in mobile devices and equipment. By reducing weight, plated polymer components help alleviate the heavy loads carried by soldiers, a leading cause of injury, while increasing durability and maintaining EMI shielding.

Speak with one of our experts today to request detailed data sheets, sample kits, and expert process validation.

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