The HH-60G/W combat rescue helicopter is a valuable asset to the US military. In many cases, people's lives depend on the operation of the HH-60G/W. Current corrosion- and wear-resistant coating systems fail to adequately protect expensive, mission-critical HH-60G/W parts from harsh environments. As a result, HH-60G/W parts suffer severe corrosion and wear damage, resulting in operational downtime as well as costly repairs or replacement. IBC Materials proposes a unique solution that employs advanced Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coating technology. IBC's PEO coatings have demonstrated superior wear-resistance, but have not yet been fully optimized for corrosion resistance. IBC will specifically develop its PEO coatings for superior corrosion resistance (while maintaining established wear-resistance), exploring innovative solutions such as PEO electrolyte additives and advanced, hydrophobic sealers. The robust, durable PEO coating system will effectively protect HH-60G/W parts from both corrosion and wear damage. In Phase-I, IBC will develop and validate sealed PEO coating systems at the coupon level, directly comparing results to the baseline system. Phase-II will continue coupon-level validation, followed by initial scale-up and application of the coating system on actual HH-60G/W parts. In Phase-III, the coating system will be field-tested and further scaled-up and matured for transition to qualified depot-level systems.
