DURACON - Variable Emissivity Broadband Coatings for Liquid Propellant Rocket Nozzles

The need exists for a fast drying, robust, low gloss, black, high emissivity coating that can be applied easily on aircraft rocket nozzles and nozzle extensions. Based on their 40+ years of experience with loaded polymers, particle dispersion and surface gloss control, scientists at Materials Technologies Corporation recently developed DURACON, a high emissivity, high thermal diffusivity, low-gloss infrared black coating. We now propose an innovative process for the deposition of a current DURACON formulation to enhance its emmittance mass index, ruggedness, uniformity, as well as adhesion to the substrate at extremely high temperatures to the levels desired by the NASA.

IR sensors in high precision optics and avionics; Heat shield and sinks; Biomedical devices;

The potential usefulness of a robust, high emissivity IR black coating which can be applied easily (brush-on or air-sprayed) to a wide range of metallic, ceramic, or plastic surfaces goes well beyond the immediate need stated by the NASA. Commercial and military applications of such a coating exist in radiation shielding inside IR optical instruments, in quantitative thermography, in IR-visible nighttime signage on military vehicles (made easily visible by a small voltage applied to the coating), etc. Such a coating would also be a natural addition to the present line of DURACON formulations. Hypersonic flights, ARES V: Thermal control coatings for rocket nozzle extensions. SCLP and PATH survey missions: Sensor Coatings Lunar Missions: Thermal control loops and EVA thermal control system equipment

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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