Corrosion Technology Products Services Testing
The use of advanced aircraft such as the V-22 Osprey and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on U.S. Navy ships, has introduced a new and extremely serious problem to the fleet. Unlike traditional aircraft, the extremely high exhaust temperatures (greater than 1000°F) of vertical launch aircraft, particularly the V-22 Osprey, are directed downward onto the deck. The direct impingement of exhaust on the deck causes localized heating that is beyond the capabilities of traditional non-skid. Topside deck temperatures quickly rise to over 200°F (within 10 minutes) and peak at nearly 400°F . Once heated, the deck can remain hot for several hours. Of additional concern is the detrimental effects of cyclic heating and cooling on non-skid coatings and the structure of the deck itself.
RPCT accepted the challenge of developing a solution to this problem for the Office of Naval Research. The goal was to develop a heat resistant non-skid system capable of withstanding high exhaust temperatures and cyclic deck flexures resulting from take-off and recovery of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) and Short Takeoff, Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft. To date, RPCT has successfully developed a prototype high temperature non-skid deck system that meets or exceeds the performance of any currently approved non-skid in all completed tests. Future efforts include commercial scale up, shipboard testing, and QPL approval of this system.
The United States Navy challenged our team to improve the quality of ship corrosion protection by developing fast, non-contact inspection technology for marine anticorrosive coating systems. This project exploits the characteristics of fluorescent pigments in the coatings to rapidly assess the quality of the coating application. The current focus is on increasing the efficiency of the inspection process. Future development will provide instant feedback to applicators about holidays and painting defects.
Sponsored by the NSRP SP-3 Panel, the Guide provides the shipbuilding and repair industry with the best available techniques in the application of high solids coatings using single and plural component spray equipment. It provides an easily accessible, user-friendly application matrix for all MIL-PRF-23236B approved Navy High-Solids coating systems. Information includes application optimization information, lessons learned, and best application practices for ship construction and repair.
Assisting companies in determining appropriate specifications for coating products, our experts provide detailed market information and a self-assessment checklist to determine if products meet a Navy need. We assist interested companies in obtaining and submitting appropriate forms and documentation and provide links to industry test facilities. Specifically the NST Center Roadmap module will provide three levels of assistance to your company:
The U.S. Navy has identified a costly problem of coating failures on the rudders of some ships, particularly ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyers. The NST Center has reviewed the research and testing done so far on the problem, and has provided recommendations to NAVSEA concerning the development of a long-term solution. NAVSEA has asked the NST Center to provide a life cycle cost analysis of various coating systems currently in use. The NST Center will provide a final report to NAVSEA soon, which will facilitate the Navy’s decisions on its future course of action.
RPCT has assisted in the development of a QA assessment guide that is utilized to assess the status of coating and preservation practices in US Navy Shipyard and SUPSHIP facilities. In addition, our experts have assisted in several assessment visits including SUPSHIP San Diego, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, TRF Bangor and SUPSHIP Puget Sound.
This training was established for the US Navy to provide paint applicator training criteria and proficiency standards for use of plural component spray equipment. There is no available formal applicator training geared towards the process required for application of high solids coatings and the use of plural component application equipment.
We are currently setting up a comprehensive technical and program plan to
assist NAVSEA in all specification upgrades and maintenance for marine coating.
RPCT, Inc. · P.O. Box 278 · Garrisonville, VA 22407
Tel: 540-752-7651 · Fax: 540-752-5226