Tough Polyfluorosiloxane Networks as Anti-icing Coatings For Military Rotorcraft

Ice formation on projections on aircraft is a leading cause of aircraft fatalities. There is a need for efficient ice-phobic technology for both civilian and military aircraft. For military aircraft, including military rotorcraft, there are additionalrequirements of being lightweight, low energy consuming, and having low observability. This SBIR proposal will test the feasibility of highly crosslinked polyfluorocarbosiloxane networks with extraordinarily low surface energy (water contact angle115-121¿) to act as tough anti-icing coatings for military rotorcraft. This unique technology could lead to a new coating industry based on ice-phobic properties. This proposed SBIR program which is based on the use of highly-crosslinkedpolyfluorocarbosiloxane networks as ice-phobic coatings, offers numerous opportunities for use in both military and commercial applications. They include, among others: (a) ice-phobic coatings for civilian and military aircraft, for ground and watertransportation vehicles or vessels, and for any articles requiring anti-icing properties, e.g., traffic signs, antennas, etc., (b) ink-release lithographic coatings, (c) anti-fouling coatings to reduce problems created by marine organisms, such as zebramussels, barnacles, and algae, on marine tankers, (d) coatings that allow the easy removal of graffiti, and (f) self-cleaning and water-condensation-free glass. If successful, the value of these unique materials as ice-phobic, non-stick, release coatingscould be in the multi-millions of dollars in product and license fees.