Durable, Non-Skid, Radar Absorbing Coating System for use on Marine Flight Decks Navy SBIR FY2005.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.3 Topic No.: N05-155 Topic Title: Durable, Non-Skid, Radar Absorbing Coating System for use on Marine Flight Decks Proposal No.: N053-155-0621 Firm: MicroCell Technologies, LLC 410 Great Road, Suite C-2 Littleton, Massachusetts 01460-0000 Contact: Richard Formato Phone: (978) 952-6947 Web Site: www.microcell-tech.com Abstract: Currently available flight deck coating systems, utilized where fluctuating temperatures and heavy traffic/load areas are normal, have poor/negligible performance in the areas of reduced radar signature return. New coatings must be developed that maintain a high coefficient of friction and excellent adhesion to the decking while simultaneously functioning as a radar absorbing material (RAM) over DD(X) design frequencies. Typical of current non-skid coating systems, new RAM coatings must be resistant to sunlight/UV, seawater and shipboard chemicals, while demonstrating excellent wear, impact and corrosion resistance. The coating must be able to be applied by rolling/spraying, must be repairable in service, and must not add excessive weight or VOCs. During Phase I, Microcell Technologies, LLC and its teaming partners, Neo-Advent Technologies and R&F Products, will synthesize RAM coatings using a combination of novel components and processing techniques. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating non-skid / RAM coating systems. During Phase II & III, the team will finalize the coating formulation to MIL-PRF-24667B by working with the US Navy, the DD(X) prime contractor and our commercialization partner, ITW American Safety Technologies. The overall project goal is to perform RAM coating validation testing and NAVAIR/NAVSEA certification for use on a Navy ship. Benefits: The radar absorbing coating system will be well received by both DoD and commercial users. The government and industry will have a RAM coating that will meet or exceed the performance of presently used low signature radar coatings and their corresponding pretreatments/primers. Although the technology will be developed for flight decks, there are number of applications where a non-skid RAM coating is needed. Areas where this technology can be successfully adopted include aircraft, ships, electronics, aerospace and construction. Specifically, these markets include building construction materials (electromagnetic wave absorption panels) and the communications industry (minimize signal reflection in communication tower platforms). Return