Advanced Nonskid Coating System for Mobile Airfield Landing Mats

The Marine Corps AM2 mat is a key component to the Marine Corps Expeditionary Airfield concept. The mat is used to construct airfields in forward operating areas, and can support virtually any fixed or rotary wing aircraft in the DoD inventory. These mats are robust and able to withstand tailhook impact and the landing loads imposed by the aircraft even when installed over marginal soil conditions. The mats are formed from aluminum alloy 6061-T6, and are 12 feet(or 6 feet) long by 2 feet wide, by 1-1/2 inches thick. The top surface of the mat is currently coated with an epoxy-based nonskid coating. This coating requires frequent replacement due to wear or breakdown from the environment. The advanced nonskid coatings to be developed by Demeton Technologies Inc. are based on ceramic and cermet components that will provide high level of heat resistance, good insulation for substrate, high adhesion, high mechanical erosion properties and corrosion protection. The coating process and properties should provide 20 years lifetime of the mat and economical production in a manufacturing facility. Application of the coatings will be done by Demeton Detonation Spray Process(DDSP) and Twin-Chamber High Velocity Oxy/Air Process(TC-HVOF/HVAF). The development of the durable, heat-resistant, long lasting nonskid coating system for Marine Corps AM2 mat for V-22 and JSF landing and takeoff is critical to the marine operation to construct airfields in forward operating areas. The top surface of the mat is currently coated with an epoxy-based nonskid coating. This coating requires frequent replacement due to wear or breakdown from the environment. The advanced nonskid coatings to be developed by Demeton Technologies Inc. are based on ceramic and cermet components that will provide high level of heat resistance, good insulation for substrate, high adhesion, high mechanical erosion properties and corrosion protection. The coating process and properties should provide 20 years lifetime of the mat and economical production in a manufacturing facility. In Phase I, feasibility was demonstrated by the modeling and numerical calculation and samples sprayed by Detonation Spray Process. The objective of Phase II is to continue the development of advanced coating system, and complete the coating system optimization and application process.