SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of the SBIR is to research new and existing protective coating technology and identify the best of the existing or new technologies, or combinations of these technologies to provide protection for aluminum and steel shelters. These technologies will be assessed for their protective durability against corrosion and abrasion, ease of field application, environmental friendliness, and lifecycle cost effectiveness. Objective analytical measurements will be used to quantitate the performance of the best technologies. A panel of experts from academia, business and the military will be assembled to assess the performance criteria of the available technologies. Substantial university resources will be available to test, evaluate and help improve these technologies. Modification of existing or new technologies or the use of combinations of technologies may prove most effective in meeting the rigorous standards set forth by this SBIR.

Benefits:
The anticipated outcome of this SBIR is clear and objective delineation of performance criteria of the best protective coating technologies for Shelters and other objects with the same substrate surfaces. Further, it will identify the best molecular coating technologies that meet the rugged, environmental, cost effective and field maintenance standards needed by the military. There are a vast number of objects made of aluminum and sttel by companies around the world and use in similar out-of-doors setting; this technology will be of immediate interest to many of these companies to protect their products.

Keywords:
Protective coating Aluminum and Steel Surfaces Environmental Friendly Lifecycle cost effective

The current inventory of Department of Defense fixed site and mobile tactical weapon systems relies on metallic structures that are extremely susceptible to corrosion. The primary reason for field and depot level repairs of military equipment is corrosion. Metallic weapon systems and their components require extensive corrosion protection to extend service life and prevent operational failures. Current practices consist of polyurethane primers and topcoats for corrosion protection of metallic surfaces and structural members. These maintenance processes require significant resources (approximately 800 million dollars per year1) for corrosion treatment applications and the related Haz-Mat disposal processes. Under Executive Order 13148, federal agencies are required to reduce the use of selected priority chemicals (including chromium) by 50% by 2006. Compliance burdens and human health concerns due to exposures are well documented. By substituting a corrosion inhibiting protective molecular coating that will resolve corrosion problems while offering new and higher standards for longevity of the coating, simple application techniques for field operations, low environmental impact, and relatively low cost, a significant reduction of the environmental compliance burden and total cost of corrosion (including both cost and risk) will be achieved

Keywords:
Liquid Coatings, Applicators, Life Cycle Costs, Rust Transformers, Tape/Applique, Poly-Urea, Additives with Overcoats, Salt Spray