LUNA LABS USA LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N231-043

Description

The U.S. Navy DDG-51 class destroyer utilizes numerous types of seals and gaskets (e.g. neoprene, nitrile) that are exposed to harsh environments and various fluids. Gaskets/seals enable the function of critical ship components (e.g. intake louvers) in various environments (temperatures, salt water exposed areas, other critical ship fluids). Despite the protective function of these seals, the increasing deployment of these ships into polar regions leads to exposure to extreme cold weather resulting in brittleness, cracking/shattering, and leaking. There is currently no material available that can survive in Arctic environments while meeting all relevant requirements for MIL-R-6855E. There is a need to develop a new ultra-low temperature, environmentally stable, fluid and ozone resistant elastomeric material to replace legacy neoprene seals that can meet the requirements outlined in MIL-R-6855E. Luna Labs previously developed a seal material capable of sealing as low as -100 °F in static situations and as low as -70 °F in dynamic conditions, with an upper operating limit of 275 °F in static testing. Luna Labs will utilize our unique experience to modify this already developed moldable thermoset polyurethane material to meet the requirements outlined by the Navy in MIL-R-6855E.