Recent Developments In Polycarbonate Coatings For Advanced Aircraft

D. L. Voss; J. A. Raffo

doi:10.1117/12.932484

26 February 1982 Recent Developments In Polycarbonate Coatings For Advanced Aircraft

D. L. Voss, J. A. Raffo

Proceedings Volume 0297, Emerging Optical Materials; (1982) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932484
Event: 25th Annual Technical Symposium, 1981, San Diego, United States

Abstract

Polycarbonate has emerged in recent years as the optimum choice of material for fabrication of advanced aircraft windshields and canopies that reauire maximum performance against bird strikes. This choice is based on a combination of properties of which the most outstanding are impact strength, high temperature resistance, light weight and ease of thermoforming to complex shapes. Polycarbonate, however, requires surface protection from abrasion, ultraviolet irradiation and common chemical solvents. The most cost-effective method of polycarbonate protection and one which adds negligible weight, is by the use of thin transparent polymeric coatings. This paper describes a coating which has been developed for aircraft applications and in fact meets the stringent requirements of the General Dynamics Lightweight F-16 specification. In order to withstand high-speed rain erosion and at the same time retain the mechanical properties of polycarbonate, it has been determined that inherent flexibility of the coating together with high adhesion to polycarbonate are essential requirements for long-term durability in service environments. The conceot of windshield surface protection, screening tests and shortcomings of other coatings will be reviewed emphasizing the major differences in performance between flexible and brittle formulations.

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D. L. Voss and J. A. Raffo "Recent Developments In Polycarbonate Coatings For Advanced Aircraft", Proc. SPIE 0297, Emerging Optical Materials, (26 February 1982); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.932484

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