HybridSil Anticorrosion Coatings for RMS Tow Cables

The objective of this Phase I SBIR program is to develop and qualify a next-generation HybridSil anticorrosion coating that provides robust, long-term corrosion protection to the Remote Minehunting System (RMS) tow cable within demanding marine environments. The proposed HybridSil anticorrosion coatings will be molecularly engineered specifically for Nitronic 50 and unlike current state-of-the-art anticorrosion coatings, have the capability of withstanding extreme flexing, abrasion, and seawater flow operations. Importantly, the proposed template inorganic copolymer has undergone extensive corrosion qualification (ASTM G44, GM 9540P, ASTM B117, ASTM G67, ASTM G66), demonstrated self-cleaning characteristics within actual marine environments, revealed exceptional UV durability (ASTM G154 and G155), and is currently undergoing sea trials on a combat active U.S. Navy vessel within the Atlantic fleet. Building from this extensive technical foundation, NanoSonic will augment its HybridSil anticorrosion technology for protecting Nitronic 50 stainless steel cables from harsh corrosive and abrasive damage within simulated RMS environments. A statistical design of experiments including rigorous corrosion, abrasion, mechanical, and environmental testing will be employed to down-select Phase I optimized systems. Transition success is ensured through multiple Phase III transition partners and an established pilot scale HybridSil manufacturing infrastructure.