SOURCE: AFI
The Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur (DLJ), a premier facility under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is spearheading an innovative project to design and develop a Special Coating System (SCS) tailored for airborne surfaces. Renowned for its expertise in creating cutting-edge defence technologies for airborne applications, DLJ is now inviting techno-commercial bids from reputed firms specializing in paints, resins, and polymers to collaborate on this critical development contract. The SCS, a thick multi-layer paint system, is poised to enhance the durability and performance of aircraft surfaces during subsonic and supersonic flights, marking a significant step forward in India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.
The SCS is envisioned as a high-performance coating system designed to withstand the extreme conditions encountered by airborne platforms, such as fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and reconnaissance aircraft. With a total thickness of 1.3–1.4 mm, the system comprises multiple layers—including a primer and a top coat—applied through a combination of manual and automated spray coating processes. This thickness ensures robust protection while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency, a critical requirement for aircraft operating at high speeds and altitudes.
DLJ has outlined stringent functional, mechanical, and environmental requirements for the SCS. The coating must exhibit exceptional adhesive strength to remain intact on airborne surfaces during subsonic and supersonic flights, resisting peeling, cracking, or erosion under aerodynamic stresses, temperature extremes, and environmental factors like moisture and UV radiation. Additionally, the system should require minimal repairs over its operational lifespan, reducing maintenance downtime and costs for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other users.
The development contract for the SCS is a techno-commercial undertaking that encompasses a broad scope of work (SoW), blending research, formulation, and testing. Key tasks include:
- Resin System Selection: Identifying a suitable resin base that provides the foundation for the coating’s durability, adhesion, and environmental resistance.
- Formulation of Functional Filler-Loaded Paint: Developing a special paint system infused with functional fillers to enhance properties like thermal stability, abrasion resistance, and radar transparency (if required).
- Optimization of Filler Concentration: Fine-tuning the loading of fillers to achieve the optimal balance of performance without compromising the coating’s weight or application characteristics.
- Layer Scheme Finalization: Designing the multi-layer architecture of the SCS—primer, intermediate layers, and top coat—to meet DLJ’s functional and mechanical specifications.
- Laboratory-Level Testing: Conducting comprehensive qualification testing, including:
- Physio-Mechanical Properties: Assessing tensile strength, hardness, flexibility, and adhesion to ensure the coating withstands flight stresses.
- Environmental Resistance: Evaluating performance under simulated conditions like humidity, UV exposure, and temperature cycling.
- Functional Validation: Verifying the coating’s ability to meet DLJ’s specific operational requirements, such as compatibility with airborne surfaces and minimal maintenance needs.
The development process will leverage both manual and automated spray coating techniques, ensuring scalability and consistency in application. The selected firm will work closely with DLJ to refine the SCS through iterative R&D, culminating in a product ready for real-world deployment.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.