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SERDP and ESTCP have launched a webinar series to promote the transfer of innovative, cost-effective and sustainable solutions developed through projects funded in five program areas. The webinar series targets Department of Defense and Department of Energy practitioners, the regulatory community and environmental researchers with the goal of providing cutting edge and practical information that is easily accessible at no cost.

 

Abstracts

Impact of Cleaning Tools on Wear of Biofouling Control Coating Systems and Copper and Zinc Release by Ms. Elizabeth Haslbeck (ESTCP Project WP18-5194)

The objective of this project is to develop a laboratory-scale tool and associated method that can be used to characterize the impact on antifouling coating systems subjected to in-water cleaning using a wide array of tools and under relevant conditions. Rotating brush tools are commonly used to remove biofouling from the underwater hulls of ships when antifouling coatings begin to lose effectiveness. Such tools abrade (reduce the thickness of) antifouling coating system topcoats, thereby reducing or limiting coating system service life. In addition, in-water cleanings may introduce coating particles and/or biocide into the surrounding environment. The degree to which in-water cleaning tools impact coatings has been studied using an array of tools and techniques. Results indicate that a standard tool or technique may improve data quality and quantity, reduce cost, and mitigate risk. The test device/method will provide the DoD a means to evaluate legacy and emerging paint systems in advance of the coatings being installed on ships. Measurements of abrasion (thickness loss, coating roughness, etc.) and inputs can be incorporated into standard processes for qualifying coating systems for DoD use.

Advancing Coating Systems for Army Tactical Assets by Mr. John EscarsegaMr. Fred Lafferman and Mr. Daniel Pope (ESTCP Project WP-201620)

The Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s Camouflage, Coatings and Corrosion team is focused on developing, demonstrating and transitioning the best products to the field for use on Army assets. To do so, it is important that a balance is maintained so end products are durable, able to be applied, meet environmental regulations, and support readiness and survivability for the soldier. To ensure this balance is maintained, products are not only screened in the lab, but demonstrated in the field where the end product would be used. This guarantees painters at original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and field repair centers can apply the coating in a fashion that provides the performance seen in lab testing. Recent work has led to the transition of pretreatments, primers and topcoats that have eliminated the use of hexavalent chromium and volatile hazardous air pollutants, reduce volatile organic compound emissions, and improve the durability of the overall coating system. This presentation will provide an overview of the work completed, the products transitioned to the field, and the vision of future coating systems for Army use.

 

Speaker Biographies

Ms. Elizabeth Haslbeck

Ms. Elizabeth Haslbeck is a senior research scientist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division in West Bethesda, MD. Liz is a subject matter expert for the mitigation of biofouling on underwater systems including vessel hulls and appendages. Biofouling control, and thus her research portfolio, is multidisciplinary and includes chemistry/materials (coatings, polymers), biology/ecology (biofouling), environmental science (biocides, environmental inputs), hydrodynamics (roughness and hydrodynamic drag), and mechanical and systems engineering (maintenance, service life, tools/devices). Liz has served as an Engineering Manager for the Technical Warrant Holder for coatings at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), a team lead (Biofouling Team) at Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD), and has served as the Principal Investigator on numerous research grants focused on biofouling control. She has authored and co-authored well over 40 research papers and contributed to book chapters. She earned a bachelor's degree (double major) in Biology and French from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College) in Westminster, MD, and a master’s degree in Marine Science from The American University in Washington, DC.

 

Mr. John Escarsega

Mr. John Escarsega is a research chemist and leads the Camouflage, Coatings and Corrosion team in the Materials and Manufacturing Science Division of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory located at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. He is responsible for initiating, planning, and performing coatings research and development for the Army. John has been involved in major formulation efforts that have dramatically improved durability and lessened environmental impact of camouflage coatings used within the DoD. John’s current work is focused on next generation of coatings and formulating coatings with near zero volatile emissions and enhanced multifunctional capabilities including the elimination of heavy metals for pretreatments and primers. John has authored numerous open literature publications, has written and edited book chapters on organic coatings, and has issued patents directly supporting DoD coatings. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, VA.

 

Mr. Fred Lafferman

Mr. Fred Lafferman is a research chemist on the Camouflage, Coatings and Corrosion team in the Materials and Manufacturing Science Division of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory located at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. Fred’s current work is focused on next generation coatings and revising specifications that will allow next generation coatings to be transitioned to the field. He is responsible for initiating, planning and performing numerous coatings research and development projects for the Army. Since 1967, Fred has worked on and with coatings for military applications for both the government and private industry. Fred has been involved in major efforts including “Environmentally Friendly Zirconium Oxide Pretreatment” that received the 2017 ESTCP project of the year for Weapon Systems and Platforms. Fred has authored numerous publications on organic coatings and been the lead on revising numerous specifications that direct the use of coatings for tactical assets. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH.

 

Mr. Daniel Pope

is a materials engineer and leads the Camouflage, Coatings and Corrosion team in the Materials and Manufacturing Science Division of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory located at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. Daniel’s current work is focused on taking data gathered from the field during inspections and incorporating data captured in laboratory settings to develop a predictive model for coating degradation and subsequent substrate corrosion on Army ground and rotary wing assets. This work has included field demonstrations at Army, Navy and Marine Corps repair and maintenance facilities. Daniel has been an author on numerous papers and presented his work at numerous conferences detailing his work in the field of military coatings for tactical assets. He earned a bachelor's degree from University of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD.