Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: A14-003

Description

To address the Army need to detect the earliest formation of corrosion through paint, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) developed a new low-cost Paint Additive/Nondestructive Interrogation (PANDI) system. The paint additive increases paint transparency for IR light, which is emitted and measured by the corrosion sensor. The inorganic additive is fully compatible with current coating systems and does not interfere with pretreatments. Moreover it improves scratch resistance, increases water repellence, and protects paint against microbial erosion, without compromising aircraft camouflage. Based on successful testing of the Phase I PANDI breadboard prototype on ninety MIL-DTL-53022 and MIL-DTL-53039 coated coupons, POC proposes in Phase II to develop a device with a small optical head on a borescope extension for inspection of difficult-to-access areas. The device will be equipped with Google Glass, and the paint additive will be optimized for aircraft coatings. The ability of the PANDI system to detect corrosion through paint at the lowest possible level on aircraft structural sections will be validated under accelerated exposure to corrosion formation. Phase II efforts will focus on optimizing the PANDI design, fabricating and testing a prototype, addressing manufacturing/formulation of the new paint and additive, and identifying a Phase III path ahead for military qualification.