In-Process Cure Monitoring of Specialty Material Coatings

Radar Absorbing Material coatings are a necessary part of modern military aircraft. Such coatings greatly reduce aircraft radar signature, but there is currently no effective way to monitor the cure process, measure wet RAM thickness, determine the optimum time to apply the next layer or predict cured thickness while the RAM is still curing. Texas Research Institute Austin Inc (TRI) proposes to develop a sensor to make these measurements. The sensor will be developed based on a novel, patent pending dual waveguide millimeter wave system developed under a previous SBIR. The University of Missouri Rolla will subcontract, and Boeing and CAAP Co are supplying no cost support in Phase I. Lockheed and PRC-DeSoto have been briefed, and are interested in Phase II involvement. The proposed approach requires only a calibration sample, and no complex equipment (e.g. network analyzers) or data analysis. To change the type or thickness of the coating being monitored, simply change the calibration sample. The sensor is handheld, affordable, real time and operation requires little training.