PROTECTIVE DUCT COATING STUDY

MISSION RESEARCH CORPORATION (MRC) PROPOSES A STUDY OF THE DUCTS AT THE ARNOLD ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT CENTER (AEDC) TEST FACILITY TO ELIMINATE DAMAGE TO TEST ENGINES AND EROSION MODELS CAUSED BY RUST OR FOREIGN DEBRIS FROM THE SUBSTRATE OR ITS PROTECTION. DUCT INTERIOR SURFACE COATS HAVE BEEN USED BY THE FACILITY WITH LIMITED SUCCESS. MRC INTENDS TO STUDY THE FACILITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, THE CHEMISTRY OF RUST FORMATION AND DEVELOP SURFACE LAYER MODIFICATIONS USING SYNERGISTIC OR CHEMICAL PREPARATIONS AND A MOISTURE/AIR BARRIER LAYER OR TOP COATING TO ELIMINATE THE REFORMATION OF RUST IN THE SUBSTRATE AND PROTECT THE METAL SURFACE FROM DAMAGE. PHASE I WILL DEFINE THE MATERIALS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR MODIFICATION AND INCLUDE INNOVATIVE PROCESSES AS PRIME CANDIDATES. MRC WILL FABRICATE SAMPLES AND TEST THEM UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS IN THE LABORATORY. THE FINAL TESTING WILL BE MADE AT AEDC IN ACTUAL USE CONDITION IN PHASE II WITH SAMPLE COATINGS SELECTED FOR THEIR SURVIVABILITY. MRC PERSONNEL HAVE DEVELOPED AN EXTERNAL PROTECTION MATERIAL TESTED AT THE AEDC DUST EROSION TESTING FACILITY AND HAVE EXPERIENCE IN SURFACE PREPARATIONS, PRIMERS, COATINGS AND WITH EXPLOSIVE DEBRIS CONTAINMENT AT EXTREME ENVIRONMENT TEST CONDITIONS.