SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Sate of the art aircraft composite and coating technology are not electrically conductive and may allow for a dangerous electrical charge buildup and may fail to protect from lightning strikes. Current epoxy composites used in aircraft such as the V-22 Osprey require a metal mesh to be embedded in the composite. This mesh makes repairs very difficult. Other solutions such as metallic nanoparticles are also not ideal as they are heavy and may promote galvanic corrosion. A conductive coating may eliminate the need for an embedded mesh. This coating would be applied by common painting techniques such as high-pressure low volume (hplv) systems and others as required by the customer. This system will be easy to apply, maintain, and repair when necessary. Electrical conductivity in aircraft coatings is required for a safe, efficient, lightweight aircraft. Aircraft coatings emphasize longevity, but do not attempt to improve its ability to conduct electricity. Our unique method allows us to create an optimal solution to improve the conductivity of aircraft coatings, resulting in a substantial increase in safety, performance, corrosion resistance and longevity. The notable result is a coating that will prevent electrical charge from building up on the surface of an aircraft
