Presented June 06, 2019- Presentation Slides

 

 
Abstract

Environmentally Friendly and High-Performance Polysiloxane Topcoats for DoD Aircraft and Ground Support Equipment by Dr. Erick Iezzi

The objective of this project was to demonstrate single- and two-component polysiloxane topcoats on active Department of Defense (DoD) equipmet and validate that these topcoats offer equivalent operational performance compared to traditional two-component polyurethane topcoats. The polysiloxane topcoats are environmentally friendly alternatives to polyurethanes because they are free of hazardous isocyanate-functional molecules and air polluting solvents, and emit reduced quantities of volatile organic compounds when applied. The single-component polysiloxane topcoat is a moisture-curable, all-in-one-can system that is based on novel alkoxysilane-terminated N-substituted polyurea polymers. This topcoat is user-friendly for applicators because it does not require metering and mixing components, thereby eliminating curing steps and performance issues attributed to improperly mixed topcoats. The two-component polysiloxane topcoat is based on the reaction of epoxy-functional polysiloxane polymers with amine-functional oligomers. In addition to the environmental benefits, the use of these alternative topcoats would enable the DoD to reduce costs associated with isocyanate monitoring programs and increase productivity and streamline logistics at facilities by allowing concurrent maintenance in nearby areas during painting applications. This presentation will discuss polysiloxane technologies, laboratory testing to Navy and Air Force performance requirements, spray applications on equipment at depots, and performance in the field.


 

Speaker Biography
Dr. Erick Iezzi

Dr. Erick Iezzi is a senior research chemist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. His current areas of research focus on the synthesis of organosilicon molecules, such as organosilane polymers and silyl-centered diols, the formulation and application of thermosetting and ultraviolet-curable coatings, understanding coating surface interactions with liquids, mechanisms of coating degradation due to weathering and corrosion, and mechanical property testing of coatings. Erick is the principal investigator of a basic research program for developing novel stimuli-responsive cross-linked networks. He is also the principal investigator of several applied research programs focused on developing polysiloxane topcoats that are free of hazardous isocyanate molecules and provide equivalent, or improved, performance properties compared to the topcoats found on the exterior of DoD surface ships, aircraft, and ground vehicles. Erick has numerous U.S. patents and peer-reviewed research publications, and several of his technologies are being licensed by companies for commercialization. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a doctoral degree in Organic Chemistry from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He also served as a National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.