Model Corrosion Protection System Breakdown Utilizing Existing Data

In our Phase I effort we will develop the Expert System framework for the model and a methodology for collection and formatting of data across all Navy sources. In Phase II the full system will be developed for use as a knowledge base repository for the collected data and a prediction simulator for coating system breakdown. The benefits toward using such a system are two-fold: 1. Selection of optimum coatings for new construction/applications. 2. Defining maintenance intervals to reduce cost of repair/rebuild of components. First benefit is in the selection of coating systems during the manufacture of a system. This allows the user to investigate the worse-case scenario service environment and to optimize the coating surface preparation, environmental controls, material selection and coating thickness. The second benefit is in defining the maintenance cycle on which a coating system is repaired or replaced. This is the most prevalent benefit as in Navy vessels coating systems are limited to those specified in the appropriate MIL-spec. Having a system that forecasts deterioration and the subsequent level of maintenance required allows the user to more accurately budget for coating repair or replacement and performing return on investment (ROI) analysis on various maintenance schedules.