Multifunctional Self Healing Coatings for Marine Applications

There is a huge cost associated with the maintenance of metal components for military and commercial applications. The total annual U.S. cost for corrosion is $276 billion and the defense cost alone is estimated at $20 billion. Luna is addressing this need to enhance the service life of ship structures and sub-components by developing a multifunctional coating system. Several research efforts, including those of Luna, have demonstrated the ability for coatings and other polymer materials to self-heal after a damage event. However, the protective properties of the repaired area of the coating are generally degraded from those of the qualified paint system itself, particularly with respect to corrosion resistance and antifouling. Luna proposes to build on this self-healing coating technology by producing a multifunctional coating system to meet these challenges. Luna’s coating system will 1) self-heal damaged areas, 2) supply corrosion inhibitors to halt corrosion damage, and 3) provide an antifouling surface to prevent the attachment of biological organisms. This multifunctional coating will extend the service life of marine structures and vehicles.BENEFITS: This proposed research is part of a larger overall effort and fits well into the strategic focus of Luna. The multifunctional ability of these coatings on various surfaces will allow them to be tuned to specific applications. This technology will have a huge cost savings on military and commercial applications requiring protection from corrosion.