| Sol No.: |
Navy STTR FY2014.A |
| Topic No.: |
N14A-T025 |
| Topic Title: |
Improving the Life Expectancy of High Voltage Components Using Nanocomposite Surface Solutions |
| Proposal No.: |
N14A-025-0085 |
| Firm: |
PneumatiCoat Technologies
10529 Pierson Circle
Westminster, Colorado 80021-3523 |
| Contact: |
Paul Lichty |
| Phone: |
(303) 514-7501 |
| Web Site: |
www.pneumaticoat.com |
| Abstract: |
Moisture buildup on high voltage antenna components can cause electrical shorts that damage system parts and produce communication noise. Not only are significant costs incurred repairing and replacing damaged components, but critical operations communications can be disrupted by these electrical discharges. This STTR proposal will apply hydrophobic and superhydrophobic coatings to antenna components which will eliminate moisture buildup on the surface of the materials and prevent damage. Two different coating compositions will be investigated; a gas phase silane coating for covalently bonded hydrophobic coatings and a spray coated nano-particle coating for superhydrophobic properties. Both coatings will be tested against a control for changes in breakdown voltage under dry and wet conditions. Additionally, the coatings will be tested for durability through abrasion testing. Using these test metrics the coating methods will be optimized to produce the highest quality and highest durability coating which will be selected for large scale testing. The production methods and performance data will be used to help quantify large scale production pricing and customer value proposition. |
| Benefits: |
The proposed coatings will have at least twice the hydrophobic properties of currently available products. This will result in elimination of unwanted discharge due to moisture but also provide anti-icing and anti-dirt properties. Additionally, the proposed coatings will have a stronger bond to the substrate materials which will be much more robust compared with existing coating solutions. It is anticipated that the proposed coatings will more than double the current usable lifetime of LF/VLF antenna components resulting in significant cost saving to the Navy. This technology will have significant benefits for civilian high voltage communications and power transmission systems that have a need to reduce material degradation and improve component lifetimes. |