Durable Hydrophobic Coatings for Corrosion Protection of Landing Gear

ABSTRACT: Landing gear are flight-critical components that are susceptible to corrosion. While currently used corrosion protective coatings (plating, paints, conversion coatings) provide adequate protection, their efficiency could be improved by a hydrophobic surface treatment that sheds water and other fluids away from corrosion initiation locations. Under operational conditions, landing gear coatings could be damaged by abrasion / impacts due to foreign object debris (FOD) or mechanical abrasion from pinch points and rotating joints. In addition, water pooling at these damage sites and threaded components can further promote corrosion. To extend the service life of landing gear, Luna has developed a low cost, highly durable hydrophobic coating with demonstrated excellent watershedding capability and mechanical / environmental durability resulting in significant improvements over current state-of-the-art corrosion resistant coatings. Luna’s durable hydrophobic coating will quickly shed water, corrosive salts, and other liquids off of landing gear. Luna’s novel coating technology for corrosion protection will decrease maintenance costs and increase the service life of landing gear with reduced part rejection.; 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.