Low-Cost Composite Isogrid Structures for Large-Scale Navy Applications of Superconductivity

Damaged underwater hulls on U.S. Navy ships are currently repaired by divers since dry-docking is expensive and logistically difficult or impossible to accommodate. This approach to hull repair can be very cost effective and time efficient. The coatingsused to complete these repairs, however, disintegrate and break away from the paint brush and/or application tool, forming a cloudy mass that restricts diver visibility and makes it difficult to complete the job properly. The poor coating/watercompatibility also results in poor transfer efficiency and the release of toxic materials into the environment. In Phase I Foster-Miller demonstrated the feasibility of an underwater hull repair coating (adherent, durable, hydrophobic, epoxy resin -ADHER) that is water insoluble, cures underwater and offers the potential for matching/exceeding military specifications (MIL-P-24441B, MIL-P-23236B, and MIL-PRF-24647B). In Phase II, the base ADHER resin will be combined with corrosion inhibitors,anti-fouling agents and pigments to form a functional ADHER system. The ADHER formulation will be further refined and optimized to improve transfer efficiency and cured coating properties. Coated ADHER test panels will be prepared and tested by industryexperts for compliance with military specifications. Results will be analyzed, and a technical and economic assessment will be performed. (p00487)