Self-Healing HybridSil Anticorrosion Coatings for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft

The objective of this Phase I SBIR program is to develop and qualify a next generation self-healing HybridSil anticorrosion coating that instantly repairs itself after abrasion, laceration, and puncture damage in demanding naval aviation environments. The proposed inorganic copolymer technology will integrate self-healing polymeric nanocapsules that dissipate VOC-free, nontoxic fluidic oligomers that instantly heal scratches and cuts via the formation of highly durable thermoset networks. The reactive polymeric nanocapsules will be molecularly engineered for rapid regeneration of NanoSonic"s environmentally friendly HybridSil anticorrosion coatings to provide a next generation corrosion protective solution that drastically enhances the operational efficiency and lifetime of naval aircraft while seamlessly integrating within existing spray, paint, and roll-on equipment. Importantly, the proposed template inorganic copolymer has undergone extensive corrosion qualification (ASTM G44, GM 9540P, ASTM B117), demonstrated self-cleaning characteristics within marine environments, has 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. In support of a rapid Phase III transition, NanoSonic"s HybridSil resins have a current production capacity of 8,000 lbs / day, a MRL of 5, and have been integrated onto multiple combat active DoD platforms for trial evaluations.