SBIR-STTR Award

Aluminum Alloy Conditioning to Improve the Corrosion Resistance of Torpedo Fuel Tanks
Award last edited on: 11/12/2009

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Navy
Total Award Amount
$69,968
Award Phase
1
Solicitation Topic Code
N091-062
Principal Investigator
Michael Arlen

Company Information

Luna Innovations Incorporated (AKA: Luna Technologies~Fiber & Sensor Technologies Inc~F&S Inc~Lumin Inc)

301 1st Street Sw Suite 200
Roanoke, VA 24011
   (540) 769-8400
   solutions@lunainc.com
   www.lunainc.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 06
County: Roanoke city

Phase I

Contract Number: N65538-09-M-0095
Start Date: 7/6/2009    Completed: 1/15/2010
Phase I year
2009
Phase I Amount
$69,968
A large portion of the maintenance costs of exercised torpedoes are attributable to the condition based maintenance of torpedo fuel tanks. In addition to consuming limited financial and manpower resources, corrosion impacts mission capability and asset readiness by reducing operational availability and their performance envelope. During use, the fuel tank is backfilled with seawater and a reaction between the seawater and chemicals in the Otto II fuel occurs, which has been demonstrated to accelerate the corrosion process. In this program, Luna proposes to develop an aluminum alloy surface conditioning process that will improve the inherent corrosion resistance of torpedo alloy systems. When used in conjunction with the current protective coatings, improved corrosion performance can be expected, thereby decreasing corrosion life cycle costs. The Phase I development efforts will focus on optimizing the conditioner chemistry for alloys of use in torpedo fuel tanks, such as AA 7175, integrating the conditioner step into the coating process, and characterizing the improved corrosion performance.

Keywords:
Corrosion, Fuel Tank, Aluminum Alloy, Surface Preparation, Heavy Weight Torpedo,

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
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Phase II Amount
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