Non-Skid Surface Coatings for Navy Fleet Applications

Non-skid coating materials are used for treatment of aircraft carrier flight deck surfaces and numerous other fleet applications. Current non-skid products require frequent replacement, generating large amounts of hazardous materials and requiring the expenditure of scarce maintenance funds. These systems, such as the ones used on aircraft carrier flight decks, have poor resistance to chemicals and corrosion. Cracking and spallation routinely occur due to aircraft takeoffs and landings. Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc. (TRI/Austin) will develop entirely new non-skid coating systems that will have substantially improved performance when compared with available products. During Phase I, we will investigate new aggregate materials that promise to enhance coating life and non-skid performance. Starter formulations will be procured to use in the preparation of new coatings and primers. A battery of tests will be used to screen candidate formulations, and promising formulations will be modified to enhance performance. Further bench scale testing of these formulations will be conducted, and the new coatings will be compared with existing systems. Coating chemical resistance will be evaluated, and cleaners for non-skid coatings systems will be identified and tested. A comprehensive final report will be prepared, and formulations will be delivered to the Navy for evaluation.