Ice Phobic Materials

"After 4 years of basic research, MicroPhase Coatings, Inc. was awarded a Phase I SBIR contract to develop an "ice-phobic" coating for B-2 bomber engine inlets. The coating is an epoxy-silicate base with additives of silicone and melting point depressants.It is hard, durable, slick, hydrophobic, and ice-phobic. The Phase I effort was completed in October 2001 and established technical feasibility. The Phase I effort showed that the coating: (a) sheds ice in an icing wind tunnel; (b) is durable enough towithstand rain erosion testing; and (c) to the extent that it was tested, is compatible with the B-2. During Phase II, we continue to refine and test the formulation. Primary objectives are to: increase service life by controlling the rate that meltingpoint depressants are released, conduct a flight test on a B-2, and qualify the coating for B-2 service. Phase II work includes icing wind tunnel testing, static ice adhesion testing, various types of electron microscopy analysis, weathering testing,coating adhesion, compatibility, and durability testing."