Most surface coatings (paints) used on the exterior of military hardware possess high thermal emittance in the 3 to 5 micron and 8 to 23 micron wavelength regions, making them vulnerable to detection using state-of-the-art optical infrared detectors. This proposed effort has as its objective the development of surface coatings that have low spectral emittance properties in the sensitive wavelength regions by tailoring optical properties on the basis of the individual properties of the candidate coating constituents. The scope of the study will include selecting the means by which pigments and polymeric binders are combined, both in single and multicoat (e.g. multilayer) arrangements, to effectively reduce the risk of optical detection. Physical models of the most promising paints, films, coatings, appliques (decals), etc. Will be prepared and evaluated.
