Non-toxic Hydrophobic Coatings for Improved Infrared and Red Phosphorus Obscurant Performance

Phase I successfully developed novel plasma coating technologies and diamond-like carbon (DLCs) coatings for producing non-toxic hydrophobic coatings to improve the infrared obscurant performance of metal flakes and red phosphorous (RP) powder. The DLC coatings were shown to be highly hydrophobic, reduce agglomeration, prevent oxidation, reduce phosphine production, and not interfere with the burn rate. Phase II will continue with scaling production by creating a system to coat 100 lbs batches of DLC coated RP and metal flakes. Additional research will be conducted to further optimize the performance of the materials. We will further improve oxidation resistance and prevent phosphine production, to not only make the materials safer and improve performance, but significantly increase their shelf life. DLC coated metal flakes and RP will be supplied to the ARMY for further evaluation and testing. Phase II will bring us from laboratory testing to device in the field. A successful Phase II will result in scaled production capability so that NCD Technologies can meet the supply needs of the ARMY.