LUNA INNOVATIONS INCORPORATED — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: ABSTRACT: Landing gear are flight-critical components that are susceptible to corrosion.

Description

ABSTRACT: Landing gear are flight-critical components that are susceptible to corrosion. While currently used corrosion protective coatings (platings, paints, conversion coatings) provide adequate protection, their efficiency could be improved by a hydrophobic surface treatment that sheds water and corrosion initiators. To extend the service life of landing gear components, this program will demonstrate significant improvements over current state-of-the-art corrosion resistant coatings by treating plated or painted parts using a low cost, highly durable, transparent hydrophobic coating that has demonstrated excellent adhesion, as well as mechanical and environmental durability. Luna"s durable hydrophobic coating will shed water, corrosive salts, and other liquids quickly off of landing gear. The efficacy of the hydrophobic coatings will be validated in both accelerated corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement testing and a business case analysis will be developed for the incorporation of this coating into the corrosion protection package for landing gear. Luna"s hydrophobic coating technology for corrosion protection will decrease maintenace costs, reduce maintenance demand, and increase the service life of landing gear. BENEFIT: The benefits of the proposed hydrophobic coating include corrosion protection of plated or painted landing gear parts used in both military and commercial applications. The novel hydrophobic coating would also be applicable to both defense and civil structures that are boldly exposed to aggressive atmospheres including marine and industrial environments. Applications include tank farms, above ground pipelines, manufacturing facilities, and bridge structures. Similarly, mobile assets including ground vehicles, ships, aircraft, and support structures would also benefit. The proposed technology is already being advanced by Luna for use in numerous commercial markets including automotive windshields and aerospace canopies. Luna"s hydrophobic coating will be especially useful in applications where, in addition to watershedding, long service life, durability, wear-resistance, and chemical-resistance are important.