A -- MISSION TAILORABLE COATING

Notice Date

May 10, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL -- Wright Research Site, Det 1 AFRL/PK, Bldg 167, Area B, 2310 8th Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433-7801

ZIP Code

45433-7801

Solicitation Number

BAA-01-06-MLK

Response Due

June 27, 2001

Point of Contact

Gary Victor, Contract Negotiator, Phone (937) 255-5459, Email Gary.Victor@wpafb.af.mil -- Frederick Rueth, Contracting Officer, Phone (937)656-9000, Email Frederick.Rueth@wpafb.af.mil

E-Mail Address

Gary Victor (Gary.Victor@wpafb.af.mil)

Description

Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Nonmetalic Materials Division (AFRL/MLBT) solicits research proposals for the development of a mission tailorable coating. The objective of this program is to demonstrate a field-level technique to modify the optical properties of standard polyurethane topcoats. Future Air Force requirements define the need for improved survivability of future aircraft, primarily from mid and far infrared (IR) threats. The development of a field-level coating system to modify the existing coating's optical (visual and infrared (IR)) property will help to satisfy this need. To minimize the logistic footprint associated with painting, an existing military specification (MIL-C-85285C) polyurethane coating will be modified with specially developed additives to achieve the desired optical properties. The emphasis of this development will focus on demonstrating methods and processes that will change the surface features and optical properties of the polyurethane coating. This modification to the standard polyurethane coating would be done in the field and utilize existing painting equipment. The mission tailorable coating would have limited operational life (6-12 months) and could be removed with standard processes. The first phase of this program will evaluate potential modification techniques to produce the property coating properties. Coated low density pigments that rise to the surface of the coating and phase separated blends that produce modified surfaces are two primary approaches to be considered. If necessary, a model pigment will be utilized to demonstrate the ability to modify the coating's optical properties. Formulation and processing trials will optimize the additive package (pigment, solvents, and carrier as necessary) with a military specification (MIL-C-85285) polyurethane coating. Color, infrared (IR) reflection, and coating physical properties (hardness, elongation, and fluid resistance) will be measured on the modified coating. Three, one-gallon kits of a model modification package will be delivered to the AF for evaluation. At the completion of this effort, the process and materials approach to modify standard polyurethane topcoat will be documented for user evaluation. Interested offerors may view and/or download the full PRDA solicitation by accessing the Electronic Posting System (EPS) homepage at http://www.eps.gov/. Direct technical questions to the technical point of contact, Stephen L. Szaruga at (937) 255-9064, and contracting-related questions to the contracting point of contact identified in the BAA/PRDA

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS.woa/wa/SPF?A=P&P=BAA-01-06-MLK&L=904)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010514/ASOL010.HTM (D-130 SN50L855)