Polyurea Bi-Layer Coating for Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Navy STTR FY2012.A Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2012.A Topic No.: N12A-T001 Topic Title: Polyurea Bi-Layer Coating for Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Proposal No.: N12A-001-0169 Firm: Luna Innovations Incorporated 1 Riverside Circle Suite 400 Roanoke, Virginia 24016-4962 Contact: James Garrett Phone: (434) 220-2505 Web Site: www.lunainnovations.com Abstract: Self-sealing fuel tanks play an important role in protecting equipment and personnel by minimizing secondary threats from a ballistic penetration of the fuel tank. If a fuel tank is pierced by a projectile, the self-sealing bladder or coating uses a combination of elastomeric recovery in addition to fuel absorption and swelling to close the penetration and quickly stop a fuel leak. In this manner, the self sealing function can reduce the occurrence of fire or explosion and extend the mission. In order to provide the safety of self-sealing fuel tanks in a reliable, light-weight, low-cost solution, Luna Innovations is teaming with the Southwest Research Institute and prime aerospace contractors to develop a polyurea bi-layer coating system. The system will be spray applied to the exterior of a fuel tank in two layers. The inner layer is a novel, fuel absorbing elastomer which serves the dual roles of elastomerically shrinking the entrance wound, and swelling with fuel to close off any remaining opening. The external layer is fuel resistant and provides excellent elastomeric recovery to a penetration, and protection of the inner layer. Benefits: The light weight, self sealing fuel tank technology developed here is likely applicable to primary fuel tanks in ground vehicles, rotor craft, and fixed wing aircraft. Based on the successful completion of this program, the Luna development team will work towards producing and marketing the reinforcing, self-sealing coating for lightweight military and civilian applications. Return