Modeling of Chromate-Free Coating Systems Using Data Mining

In the proposed Phase I SBIR program, Faraday, KBSI and Prof. John Scully will demonstrate the applicability of data mining combined with fundamental parameter analysis to model the performance and predict the lifetime of chromate-free coatings systems for aircraft applications, exposed to a variety of environmental stresses. This technology will assist coating developers with finding a coating system that functionally replaces traditional coatings that contain toxic chromates. In Phase I, the team will identify a commercially available non-chromium based coating system, monitor the performance of that coating system under environmental stresses (including pH, aggressive chemical species, and elevated temperature) and develop algorithms to model the data. In Phase II, we will extend the scope of the data mining model to a variety of commercially available chromate-free coating systems, with extensive laboratory and field testing, and including service data. This predictive model will help to accelerate the development of new chromate-free coatings systems by separating out the effects of each layer in the coating system, and providing guidance as to the best possible combinations of conversion coating, primer and topcoat to provide the functionality required for U.S. Air Force applications.