ELECTRODEPOSITION OF POLYMER COATINGS IN AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS

This proposal is in response to the topic objective to apply and control the application of multilayer seal coatings on all surfaces of integral fuel tanks. An alternate polymer deposition method is proposed to meet the objective without the need for expensive, complex sensors and controls. A polymer coating, composed of Teflon and a second resin, is to be deposited electrochemically from aqueous solution. This polymer coating process automatically gives a uniform coating free of pinholes. A pretreatment prepares the surface of aluminum tanks for polymer electrodeposition. The polymer coating process can be adjusted to obtain any coating thickness desired. The polymer coating process uses an aqueous system which obviates expensive enviromental and safety constraints associated with the organic solvents currently-used in coating fuel tanks. Corrosion, fuel-compatibility, and adhesion tests will be carried out to evaluate the coatings. Deliverables from Phase I will be test data and a demonstration small-scale simulated fuel tank. A successful process from Phase II will be licensed to manufacturers.