Flexible Conductive Caulking Material

METSS proposes to develop a conductive caulking material that operates between -65°F and 250°F. The unique aspect of the proposed development will be the resistance to corrosion of the conductive filler and underlying bonded substrate. This corrosion resistant electrically conductive sealant will also resist exposure to common organic aircraft fluids and provide appropriate bonding to both aluminum and carbon-epoxy composite surfaces. METSS intends to impart corrosion resistance by the addition of selected additives that protect the sealant base from degradation caused by the presence of a metal filler, contact with a metal substrate, and contact with the salts in seawater. In prior programs, METSS has shown that this approach prevents deterioration of the conductive polymer integrity and prevents corrosion from developing in a conductive elastomer and adhering aluminum substrates. These protective additives are used in synergistic combinations and their exact nature and relative concentrations depend on the sealant base polymer and specific filler used as the conductor. Based on its previous work METSS has narrowed the selection process for the target sealants to a few materials.