Novel Surface Preparation Methods for Existing Metallic Structures

The goal of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of novel surface preparation methods that are easier to apply on metal substrates in various field environments while still enhancing the corrosion protective performance of topcoats. This is made possible by the characteristics of a patented pretreatment technology developed at Ecosil that can be spray or immersion applied. This novel pretreatment utilizes special silanes and water-soluble inorganic compounds to form a nano-structured hybrid pretreatment coating that can greatly enhance the paint adhesion of metal substrates. In addition, the hybrid pretreatment is compatible with both water and organic solvents. In this proposed work, we will make use of this unique characteristic to mix the pretreatment solution with cleaning agents such as water and organic solvents to form 2-in-1 cleaning-pretreatment systems. This effort would significantly simplify standard multi-step surface preparation procedures, and would make the surface preparation more field-friendly. Approved for Public Release 14-MDA-7979 (16 September14).