PPG Aerospace Solar-Control Coatings Use Eggplant-like Technology for Cooler Plane
Can reduce external aircraft skin temperatures up to 25 degree F, helping keep interior cabin temperatures cooler by 5 to 7 degrees.
A new solar-heat-management coating system by PPG Industries’ aerospace business helps keep aircraft passenger cabins cooler.
A novel PPG Aerospace solar-heat-management coating system can reduce external aircraft skin temperatures up to 25 degrees F, helping keep interior cabin temperatures cooler by 5 to 7 degrees.
“Airlines often avoid dark colors for airplane liveries because they can absorb as much as 90 percent of solar energy, which in turn heats the interior while a plane is on the ground,” said Mark Cancilla, PPG global director for aerospace coatings. “Our innovative paint technology means airlines no longer have to avoid dark colors. In fact, the darker the color, the greater the difference there is in total solar reflectance. There is no compromise of other coating properties.”
PPG solar-heat-management coatings technology is based on development of novel pigment dispersions, or stainers, that increase transmittance of near-infrared energy, or heat, through a dark coating and increase the subsequent reflection from a white underlayer. Cancilla said the technology is modeled after the eggplant, which naturally remains cool to the touch even when exposed to intense sunshine. The eggplant’s dark purple skin does not absorb near-IR radiation but transmits it to the white interior flesh, where it is reflected and transmitted out through the skin.
PPG’s technology works in the same way. Cancilla said PPG’s solar-heat-management coating system is being evaluated by several airlines and aircraft manufacturers.
PPG Aerospace is the aerospace products and services business of PPG Industries. PPG Aerospace – PRC-DeSoto is the leading global producer of aerospace sealants, coatings, and packaging and application systems. PPG Aerospace – Transparencies is the world’s largest supplier of aircraft windshields, windows and canopies. For more information, visit www.ppgaerospace.com.
Related Content
-
Spatial Coating Thickness Measurement Solution for Prismatic Battery Cells
Coatmaster AG’s 3D noncontact coating thickness measurement system employs ATO technology to provide spatial measurement of coating thickness.
-
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications – 4th and 5th Quarter Report
The NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board selected a project on electrodeposition toward developing low-cost and scalable manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis cells for clean transportation and distributed power applications. During the reporting period, efforts were focused on planning the overall project work, with the eventual goal of manufacturing an improved design for a Solid oxide fuel cell anode supported flat tube (SOFC).
-
NASF/AESF Foundation Research Project #123: Electrochemical Manufacturing for Energy Applications – 2nd Quarterly Report
For 2022, NASF-AESF Foundation Research Board has selected a project on electrodeposition toward developing low-cost and scalable manufacturing processes for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolysis cells for clean transportation and distributed power applications. This report is the 2nd quarterly report, covering work during April-June 2022 and consists of an edited manuscript, “Manufacturing and Thermal Shock Characterization of Porous Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia for Hydrogen Energy Systems.”
