Optical Signature Control Materials

Prior IR&D work by Spectro Dynamic Systems (SDS) and others demonstrated that silver coated cenospheres (SCC) 1) provide a unique pigment for achieving low emissivity coatings, and 2) can be modified to achieve microwave compatibility with little or no loss of low emissivity properties. This proposal will combine this unique low emissive, microwave transparent pigment with a high performance, low VOC coating that matches a medium shade gray visual color. Key parameters to be studied in Phase I include the amount of silver on the cenospheres, the size of the cenospheres, and methods for separating individual spheres in the coating to improve microwave transparency. Coating formulations will include high solids, two-component urethanes and reactive water-base systems. To optimize the appropriate low VOC coatings and provide color matching capabilities, SDS will employ, as a subcontractor, BBM Technologies, Inc., whose personnel have many combined years experience in formulating pigmented and environmentally compliant coatings. At the conclusion of Phase I, this program will demonstrate the suitability of SDS materials as a true multi-spectral environmentally compliant coating suitable for Air Force platform applications. Several key variables for control of properties will be quantified, including the correlations between IR reluctance, microwave transparency, and visual camouflage.