1. 2016 Maintenance Innovation Challenge
Protective Covers for Critical Asset Corrosion Prevention
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Protective fabric covers are important and inexpensive lines of defense to maintain readiness, reduce maintenance and extend life cycle. Legacy covers are causing corrosion and asset damage.
Legacy Cover Problem:
Trap moisture and heat creating a microclimate that often encourages corrosion and excessive heat build up.
Absorb water becoming too heavy to use and freeze making the unusable and on occasion dangerous to the user
Some incorporate the use of Vapor Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI’s) that cause corrosion, are a health hazard and coat optics
Covers that create static charges can harm electronics and should not be used near fueling or ordnance.
BENEFITS
A highly air permeable, durable protective cover that mitigates corrosion and heat build up.
Technical textile features include:
UV resistant to 36 month 24/7
Air Permeable to eliminate a microclimate
Oleophobic; will not absorb contaminated fluid - washable
ESD; qualified to be used on ordnance
Filters to .3 microns, sand in theater is 1 micron
Hydrophobic ;dry weight equal to wet weight – will not freeze or get heavy
Will not scratch windscreens or lenses, or damage coatings
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
AMCOM Corrosion Program Office supported by 160th SOAR(A) and funded by OSD Corrosion Policy Office over a four year period of evaluations and research established what makes an effective protective cover material. Created a specification adopted by CH Helicopter and implemented via 160th Regiment wide and used by all branches with marked improvements.
Three layer laminated technical textile that incorporates an ePTFE membrane that filters to 1.0 micron, 3600 MVTR, extremely air permeable 0.1cfm/sq ft/ min, carbon printed for permeant ESD, permanent plasma water proof treatment to 10 meter water column, hydrophobic and oleophobic, oil hold out to .6