Hybrid Ultra-Low VOC and Non-HAP Rain Erosion Coatings

Developing a rapid-curing rain erosion coating based on a unique glycidyl carbamate (GC) hybrid resin chemistry that offers rapid reactivity and adhesion combined with the erosion, flexibility, weathering and mechanical properties of polyurethane systems.

Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, Alexandria, Virginia

Numerous military aircraft and shipboard surfaces, such as radomes, antennas, gun shields, wing leading edges, and helicopter blade leading edges, are coated with a specialized erosion-resistant protective coating possessing strict performance requirements. These protective coatings must provide excellent rain erosion resistance, superior mechanical properties, good adhesion to the substrate and meet a host of other metrics outlined in MIL-PRF-32239 and SAE AMS-C- 83231A.

Historical protective coatings that meet these metrics are often polyurethane-based and contain large quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and isocyanates which are hazardous and may be prohibited for use in the near future under the Prohibited and Controlled Chemical List (PCCL). A drastic reduction in VOCs, HAPs, and other hazardous compounds in such coatings will lead to significant environmental and occupational safety improvements, as well as increased coating application productivity associated with reduced application and cure times.