A new additive could help military vehicles, including the Marine Corps variant of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), heal like human skin and avoid costly maintenance as a result of corrosion.
Developed by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in partnership with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), polyfibroblast allows scratches forming in vehicle paint to scar and heal before the effects of corrosion ever reach the metal beneath.
“Corrosion costs the Department of the Navy billions of dollars each year,” said Marine Capt. Frank Furman, who manages logistics research programs for ONR’s Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Department. “This technology could cut maintenance costs, and, more importantly, it could increase the time vehicles are out in the field with our Marines.”
Polyfibroblast is a powder that can be added to commercial-off-the-shelf paint primers. It is made up of microscopic polymer spheres filled with an oily liquid. When scratched, resin from the broken capsules forms a waxy, water-repellant coating across the exposed steel that protects against corrosion.
While many self-healing paints are designed solely for cosmetic purposes, polyfibroblast is being engineered specifically for tactical vehicles used in a variety of harsh environments.
“We don’t care if it’s pretty,” said Dr. Jason Benkoski, senior scientist at the university lab and lead researcher on the project. “We only care about preventing corrosion.”
From rainstorms to sunlight, tactical vehicles face constant corrosion threats from the elements. Corrosion costs the Department of the Navy about $7 billion each year. About $500 million of that is the result of corrosion to Marine Corps ground vehicles, according to the most recent Department of Defense reports.
Vehicles transported and stored on ships also are subject to salt spray from the ocean, a leading cause of problems for military hardware. In one laboratory experiment, polyfibroblast showed it could prevent rusting for six weeks inside a chamber filled with salt fog.
“We are still looking into how to make this additive even more effective, but initial results like that are encouraging,” said Scott Rideout, deputy program manager, Light Tactical Vehicles, Program Executive Officer (PEO) Land Systems, which is overseeing continued development on polyfibroblast for potential use on the Marine Corps variant of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. “Carry that out of the lab and into the inventory, and that translates to improved readiness and big savings.”
The Latest on: Self-Healing Paint
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Self-Healing Paint” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Self-Healing Paint
- This artist turned heartache into a beloved textile brandon May 2, 2024 at 9:00 am
After an abrupt divorce, Sarah Von Dreele decided to embrace the unknown—and embark on a new career in fabric and wallpaper design.
- 5 Best Paint Protection Films for Sports Carson April 26, 2024 at 10:57 am
In today’s digital age, small businesses face the exciting challenge of standing out in a crowded online marketplace. While this can seem daunting, the right digital marketing strategies can transform ...
- Rivian Offering Free Satin Paint Protection Film For A Limited Timeon April 14, 2024 at 5:34 pm
Get free Stealth PPF for R1T and R1S this month The self-healing, satin film fully wraps ... The EV maker's Stealth paint protection film (PPF) is free of charge in select configurations ordered ...
- Keep it Fresh With Our Best Car Paint Protection Filmon December 20, 2023 at 10:33 am
Self-healing technology mitigates the appearance of minor scratches. Long-lasting protection against various road hazards and environmental factors. UV resistance prevents paint fading and oxidation.
- Self-healing ceramic coatings: a game-changer for transportationon October 5, 2023 at 11:10 pm
The technology isn’t new – it’s been achieved in organic coatings such as paint, which can have ... and is it possible to manufacture ceramic coatings with anti-corrosion and self-healing properties?
- New and Used EX35 Prices, INFINITI EX35 Model Years and Historyon July 1, 2023 at 12:29 pm
The 2009 INFINITI EX35 is a luxury crossover with a host of impressive options such as lane departure warning and self-healing paint. Smaller than its big brother the FX35, the 2008 INFINITI EX35 is ...
- 2009 INFINITI M35on August 16, 2017 at 3:18 am
In addition to the aforementioned engine and transmission transplants, all '09 M models receive auto speed-sensing door locks and Infiniti's Scratch Shield "self-healing" paint. Infiniti will ...
- The self-healing car: a car that cares for itselfon April 24, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Being asked to take a wire metal brush to the immaculate black bonnet of a Porsche Boxster is an unnerving request. But before we’re handed it and told to scrape away, we’re informed: “This ...
- Get Used 2009 INFINITI Valueson January 26, 2017 at 6:40 am
Select a vehicle year and model below to get a valuation. The 2009 INFINITI EX35 is a luxury crossover with a host of impressive options such as lane departure warning and self-healing paint. As a ...
- 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Classon May 19, 2013 at 9:53 pm
This virtually self-healing paint covers sheet steel (70 percent of which is galvanized) that includes high-strength alloys (47.5 percent by weight) and a so-called 'dual-phase' steel, used around ...
via Bing News