Abrasion Resistant Coatings for Aircraft
Aircraft surfaces endure extreme mechanical and environmental stresses, with leading edges experiencing particle impacts at velocities exceeding 800 km/h and temperature variations from -60°C at cruise altitude to +50°C on desert runways. Traditional protective coatings show significant degradation after 3,000 flight hours, particularly in high-wear areas where material loss can exceed 200 micrometers in depth.
The fundamental challenge lies in developing coating systems that can maintain both surface protection and aerodynamic performance while withstanding the combined effects of impact erosion, thermal cycling, and environmental exposure.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including nanocomposite polyurethane systems with fluorine-modified nano-SiO2, multi-layer protective coatings with silane-coupled primers, and advanced powder coatings using nanoscale titanium dioxide formulations. These and other approaches focus on practical implementation strategies that balance durability requirements with maintenance considerations and environmental compliance.
1. Nanocomposite Polyurethane Coating with Fluorine-Modified Nano-SiO2 and Polyaspartate Resin
GUANGDONG CORROSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, 2023
Nanocomposite polyurethane coating for aircraft with enhanced durability and environmental sustainability. The coating combines a fluorine-modified nano-SiO2 surface treatment with polyaspartate resin, achieving improved impact resistance, thermal stability, and wear protection. The treatment enables the formation of a network structure that enhances crack resistance while maintaining flexibility. The coating's performance is demonstrated through accelerated aging tests, demonstrating superior durability and gloss retention compared to conventional coatings.
2. Aircraft Skin Finish Paint with Acrylic and Modified Polyester Resins and Graphene Dispersion
SHAANXI COAL AND CHEMICAL INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD, Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Technology Institute Co., Ltd., 2023
Aircraft skin finish paint and preparation method for enhanced durability and performance in extreme environments. The paint combines a durable acrylic resin with a modified polyester resin, supplemented with graphene dispersion for superior impact resistance and thermal stability. The formulation balances performance parameters while maintaining environmental resistance, enabling aircraft surfaces to withstand harsh conditions such as high-altitude flight and landing operations.
3. Protective Coating for Plexiglass with Polyurethane Dispersion and Modified Aluminum Oxide Nano-Hollow Spheres
XIAN LIYUAN NEW MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO LTD, 2023
A protective coating for transparent aircraft parts made from plexiglass that provides superior mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and optical clarity. The coating comprises a polyurethane dispersion, modified aluminum oxide nano-hollow spheres, fluorine-based resin, reinforcing agent, defoamer, leveling agent, film-forming agent, and silane coupling agent. The coating is prepared through a unique dispersion process that incorporates the polyurethane dispersion with the modified aluminum oxide spheres and fluorine-based resin, followed by precise formulation of the dispersion with additional agents. The coating provides exceptional mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and optical clarity, making it suitable for aircraft applications where plexiglass components are exposed to harsh environmental conditions.
4. Multi-Layer Protective Coatings with Silane-Coupled Primer and Organic Titanate Formulations for Aircraft Engine Components
GE AVIO SRL, 2023
Protective coatings for aircraft engine components achieve enhanced thermal and mechanical resistance through a combination of silane coupling agent and organic titanate-based formulations. The coatings combine a silane-coupled primer layer with a silicone elastomer layer, followed by an abrasion-resistant elastomeric layer. This multi-layer system provides superior thermal insulation while maintaining high abrasion resistance, enabling prolonged engine component life.
5. High-Temperature-Resistant Coating with Hollow Silica Microspheres and Nano-Oxide Mixtures for UAVs
SICHUAN UNIVERSITY, 2022
A high-temperature-resistant, anti-corrosion, lightweight coating for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that achieves both thermal insulation and radiation protection. The coating combines a hollow silica microsphere-based thermal barrier with lithium silicate and nano-oxide mixtures, specifically nano-alumina, nano-magnesia, and nano-zinc borate, to achieve superior performance in extreme temperatures (up to 1300°C) while maintaining structural integrity. The coating system demonstrates enhanced thermal insulation and radiation protection capabilities compared to conventional materials, making it suitable for UAV applications in high-temperature environments.
6. Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide-Based Powder Coating with Fluorinated Epoxy Resin for Aircraft Surfaces
SCIENTIFIC AND TECH SHARE LIMITED COMPANY OF HUAHONGQING INDUSTRY OF ANHUI, 2022
Powder coating for aircraft surfaces at the nanoscale, enabling enhanced durability and performance compared to traditional metal coatings. The coating employs a specially formulated titanium dioxide-based powder system, with additives that enhance wetting and leveling properties. The coating is cured using a fluorinated epoxy resin, which combines with the powder to create a strong, corrosion-resistant, and aerodynamically optimized finish for aircraft surfaces.
7. Weather-Resistant Coating System with PECVD Outer Layer and Cured Silicone Resin Inner Layer for Plastics
KETTERING UNIVERSITY, 2021
A weather-resistant coating system for plastics that combines UV protection with abrasion resistance. The system comprises a substrate, an outer layer, and an inner layer. The outer layer is a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) film that provides excellent UV protection. The inner layer is a cured silicone resin composition with an incorporated UV absorber and solvent, which encapsulates the substrate. The inner layer is cured to form a protective film. The outer layer is applied using atmospheric plasma processing, and the inner layer is cured to form a protective film. The system achieves superior weatherability and abrasion resistance compared to conventional coatings, with enhanced durability under various environmental conditions.
8. Multi-layer Coating for Aircraft Components with Barrier and Laminar Flow Layers Incorporating Fluoropolyether, Silicon Rubber, Polyurethane, Sol-gel Siloxane, Rare-earth Oxide, and Phosphate
ROHR INC, 2020
Multi-layer coating for aircraft components that enhances durability and performance through a barrier layer and laminar flow layer. The coating consists of a barrier layer containing fluoropolyether, silicon rubber, or polyurethane, covering the component surface. The barrier layer protects the component from environmental degradation while the laminar flow layer, comprising sol-gel siloxane, rare-earth oxide, and phosphate, forms a protective layer on top of the barrier layer. This multi-layer configuration provides enhanced mechanical properties and resistance to environmental influences, making it suitable for critical aircraft components.
9. Aviation Coating with Polyurethane Resin and Additive for Enhanced Thermal Stability and Moisture Resistance
NANJING YOUGU INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICE CO LTD, 2019
Aviation coating for aircraft surfaces that enhances durability and performance through improved thermal management. The coating combines a polyurethane resin with a specialized additive that enhances low elongation, low reflection coefficient, and moisture resistance while maintaining thermal stability. The coating system is formulated to address existing coating limitations in aircraft surfaces, including low elongation, low reflection coefficient, and humidity intolerance. The coating provides enhanced performance characteristics through its unique combination of thermal management properties.
10. Aircraft Surface Paint with High Emissivity Pigment and Temperature-Stable Binder
NANJING U VALLEY NEW MATERIAL TECH CO LTD, 2019
Anti-aging paint for aircraft surfaces that protects against thermal degradation while maintaining optical clarity. The paint contains a specialized pigment with high emissivity and optical stability, combined with a binder that maintains its performance in extreme temperature environments. The paint formulation ensures continuous optical performance even when exposed to temperature fluctuations, while maintaining its surface finish and durability.
11. Transparent Substrate with Sputtered Zirconium-Aluminum Oxide Coating and Infrared Modulating Layer
SAINT GOBAIN, 2018
A transparent substrate coated with a stack of thin layers that provides enhanced scratch resistance, low friction, and thermal stability. The substrate is coated with a protective layer comprising a mixed oxide of zirconium and aluminum, with atomic proportions of aluminum and zirconium exceeding 99% relative to other elements. This layer is deposited by sputtering assisted by a magnetic field and forms the outermost layer of the stack. The stack comprises a base layer of mixed oxide and a functional layer that can act on infrared radiation. The substrate is preferably glass, and the stack can be applied to various substrates, including metal, ceramic, and polymer substrates. The stack provides superior performance compared to conventional coatings, particularly in applications requiring high scratch resistance and thermal stability.
12. Rough-Surfaced ZrO2-Al2O3 Multiphase Ceramic Particles with Controlled Sintering and Rapid Cooling
GUANGDONG INST MATERIALS & PROC, 2018
Rough-surfaced ZrO2-Al2O3 multiphase ceramic particles for wear-resistant steel matrix composites, prepared through a specific processing sequence. The particles have a composition of 10-90% stabilized ZrCF and 10-90% AI2O3, with a particle size of 1-7 mm. The particles undergo a controlled sintering process in an electric furnace at temperatures below 60°C/h, followed by rapid cooling to 500-600°C. This unique processing sequence enables the formation of high wear resistance ceramic particles with a surface roughness that enhances their ability to prevent cracks and spalling during composite fabrication.
13. Lacquer Formulation with Surfactant and Additive System for Enhanced Drone Substrate Application
LV JUN, 2018
A lacquer formulation for drone paint with improved dredging properties. The formulation enables enhanced paint performance on drone substrates by addressing issues such as wrinkle resistance and adhesion. The formulation combines a surfactant system with a specific additive package that addresses these challenges through a combination of surfactants, wetting agents, and anti-wrinkle agents. The surfactants improve paint flow and wetting characteristics, while the wetting agents enhance paint adhesion to the substrate. The anti-wrinkle agents prevent wrinkle formation during the curing process.
14. Lacquer Formulation for Drone Skin with Combined Environmental Resistance and Aesthetic Enhancement
LYU JUN, 2018
A lacquer formulation for drone skin that combines UV, rain, temperature, and chemical resistance properties while maintaining aesthetic appeal. The formulation provides comprehensive protection against environmental stressors, including UV degradation, moisture ingress, extreme temperatures, and corrosive substances, while also enhancing the drone's visual appearance.
15. Composite Material with Corrosion-Resistant Polymer Matrix and UV-Blocking Additive for Aircraft Casings
QINGDAO AIFEIKE AVIATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., 2018
A composite material for aircraft outer casings that combines excellent corrosion resistance and UV protection. The coating comprises a combination of a corrosion-resistant polymer matrix and a UV-blocking additive. The polymer matrix provides structural integrity while the UV-blocking additive enhances the coating's UV resistance. This dual-component system enables comprehensive protection against corrosion and UV degradation, ensuring the aircraft's structural integrity and safety.
16. Aerospace Coating with Polyurethane Matrix and Embedded Silicon Carbide Particles
AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH, 2017
Aerospace coating for aircraft landing flaps featuring enhanced abrasion resistance through the incorporation of polyurethane matrices with embedded silicon carbide particles. The coating provides superior wear protection in the critical landing flap contact area, particularly during high-temperature and high-velocity operations. The coating composition combines a polyurethane matrix with silicon carbide particles, which significantly improves abrasion resistance compared to conventional coatings. The coating's performance is validated through comprehensive wear testing at elevated temperatures and in extreme environments.
17. Polyurethane Coating with Low-Temperature Resistant Polyester Polyol and Organic Functional Micron Powder Modifier
Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2017
A low-temperature resistant, wear-resistant polyurethane coating comprising a polyurethane base resin, a low-temperature resistant polyester polyol, a surface layer modifier containing organic functional micron powder, a curing agent, a solvent, and a defoamer. The coating exhibits superior low-temperature performance and abrasion resistance through the surface layer modifier, which introduces micron-sized organic powders to the surface of the polyurethane base resin.
18. Coating Composition with Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Matrix Incorporating Polysiloxane and Titanium Dioxide
GUANGXI UNIVERSITY, 广西大学, 2017
Coating composition for a helicopter landing platform that enhances its durability and resistance to environmental stressors through a novel inorganic-organic hybrid matrix. The composition incorporates a polysiloxane matrix with a silicon-oxygen bond energy of 446 kJ/mol, which significantly exceeds that of organic carbon-carbon bonds. This enables the formation of a strong interpenetrating network with the polysiloxane, providing exceptional mechanical properties. The composition combines a polysiloxane matrix with an inorganic matrix, such as titanium dioxide, to create a hybrid material with superior performance characteristics. The resulting coating exhibits enhanced weatherability, moisture resistance, and UV resistance, as well as excellent salt spray and high-temperature resistance, making it suitable for demanding helicopter landing platforms.
19. Polyurethane-Based Coating for UAVs with Enhanced Durability, Environmental Resistance, and Electrical Insulation
WENZHOU CHUYING TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2016
Coating for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that enhances durability and resistance to environmental stressors while maintaining electrical insulation properties. The coating comprises a specialized polyurethane-based material that provides enhanced scratch resistance and electrical insulation while maintaining the vehicle's structural integrity. The coating is applied to the UAV's surface using a controlled process that ensures uniform coverage and optimal adhesion. This coating solution enables UAVs to operate effectively in challenging environments such as high-altitude areas, remote regions, and areas with corrosive substances, while maintaining their performance characteristics.
20. Aircraft Wing Skin Coating with Multi-Layer Zinc Yellow and Fluorocarbon Structure
溧阳市哈大成果转化中心有限公司, LIYANG HADA ACHIEVEMENTS TRANSFORMATION CENTER CO., LTD., 2016
A low-cost, environmentally friendly aircraft wing skin coating comprising a substrate and a protective zinc yellow coating comprising a layer of primer and two layers of acrylic urethane fluorocarbon finish. The coating comprises a zinc yellow primer dry film thickness of 14 microns, an intermediate fluorocarbon finish dry film thickness of 36 microns, and an outer layer of fluorocarbon finish dry film thickness of 59 microns.
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