TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: VIRGINIA Class Submarine , NAVSEA PMS450, ACAT I

OBJECTIVE: Development of low electronegative potential cathodic protection sacrificial anodes.

DESCRIPTION: This effort will develop sacrificial anodes for cathodic protection for ships and submarines with reduced corrosion potential and yet sustain anode efficiency. The development process will require R&D in material alloying, composition and metallurgical characterization and performance evaluations. Successful anode compositions will provide 1) an open-circuit Potential Range: -0.800 to -850V vs. Ag/AgCl/seawater and 2) a minimum current capacity of 1656 Ahr/Kg. Initial efforts should focus on the identification of viable compositions through laboratory evaluations of corrosion potential and short term quality assurance type testing for current capacity determination. Subsequent efforts should focus on the developmental issues related to the manufacturing or casting methodologies and its effects on long term performance. Target physical characteristics and quality assurance requirements should be identical to those provided in MIL-A-18001J and MIL-DTL-24779A(SH), as applicable.

PHASE I: Identification of anode compositions. Experimental or analytical modeling assessing alternatives and demonstrating feasibility.

PHASE II: Development and prototyping of accepted technical option(s) for testing in the marine environment and demonstration of long term performance relative to manufacturing processes and resultant metallurgy.

PHASE III: The VIRGINIA Class submarine program and its shipbuilders will procure materials for incorporation into the propulsor and other applications. Ship Specification changes are currently being drafted to allow for utilization of these materials.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: This technology is necessary on any military or commercial, ocean platform, where high strength fasteners are used and galvanic cathodic protection must be employed.

KEYWORDS: cathodic protection, anodes, hydrogen, materials

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

DoD Notice:   Between November 12 and December 7, 2008, you may talk directly with the Topic Authors to ask technical questions about the topics. Their contact information is listed above. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed starting December 8, 2008, when DoD begins accepting proposals for this solicitation.

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