Improved Watercraft Coatings
NCMS Project #: 140921
Problem: Any corrosion or drag can cause a ship to spend down time at a repair facility causing the company to lose money. Beyond goods transport, there is also a robust boat racing industry, pleasure craft culture, and travel cruise lines that depend on the latest coating technology. Any improvement to watercraft coating will prolong the useful life of a vessel.
Benefit: Safe, low odor, easy to repair coatings are beneficial for the crew or passengers of any shipping application. Anti-fouling technologies that have a longer service life, whether in high-speed or abrasive conditions, reduces the costs and environmental impact of shipping.
Solution/Approach: This project seeks to develop state-of-the-art coating technologies for watercraft in three areas:
- Focus Area I – Waterborne Fire-Retardant Coating Systems for Occupied Space
- Focus Area II – Anti-Fouling Coatings for High-Speed Vehicles
- Focus Area III – Increased Durability for Underwater Coating Systems
Any improvements in this test area will be translatable to U.S. commercial industry.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Increase vehicle safety
- Maintain readiness
- Reduce lifecycle costs
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Army TARDEC
Industry Participation:
- PPG Industries, Inc.
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Maintenance avoidance and reliability
- Positive environmental impact
- Improved readiness
- Reliability improvement
Focus Area:
- Reliability improvement