Polysil coatings are widely used in the aerospace and defense industry

Polysil, a sol-gel process-based coating, is used to improve the performance, durability and strength of components and surfaces.

Applications of this technology in aerospace and defense are diverse and include:

1. Corrosion protection: In the aerospace and defense industries, where components may be exposed to harsh environmental conditions, sol-gel coatings are used to protect metal surfaces from corrosion. These coatings create a thin protective layer that prevents oxidation and corrosion caused by moisture, salts, and harsh chemicals.
2. Wear reduction: Sol-gel coatings are used to reduce wear and friction on moving parts such as bearings, gears, shafts and joints. This helps extend the life of components, improving the reliability and overall durability of aerospace and military equipment and vehicles.
3. Thermal insulation and high temperature resistance: In spacecraft and high-speed aircraft, sol-gel coatings can be used to provide thermal insulation, protecting sensitive structures and equipment from extreme temperatures generated during flight or atmospheric reentry.
4. Chemical resistance and radiation protection: Sol-gel coatings can offer chemical resistance against aggressive chemicals and toxic substances found in the aerospace and military environment. In addition, they can be designed to protect against ionizing and UV radiation, which can damage exposed surfaces in space or other critical situations.
5. Radar Signature Reduction: In the defense arena, sol-gel coatings can be used to reduce radar reflectivity, helping to make equipment and vehicles less detectable to detection instruments and adversary radars.
6. Advanced anti-reflective and optical properties: Sol-gel coatings can improve the optical properties of lenses, sensors and equipment on board aerospace vehicles and defense devices. They can reduce reflections and glare, improving the accuracy and reliability of measurements and observations.
7. Reducing electromagnetic conductivity: In communication systems, electronic devices, and aerospace and military equipment, sol-gel coatings can be used to control electromagnetic conductivity, preventing unwanted interference and improving equipment performance.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

For challenging applications, Nanoprom is the ideal partner for the development of high-tech silica sol-gel process coatings.

In Aerospace and Defense, all Nanoprom coatings of the Polysil family can be applied. Our consulting and design services can help customers obtain the best coating that meets the most stringent requirements.
Due to its composition, Polysil can be applied in low thicknesses ranging from 5 to 25 microns, this peculiarity allows for extremely light coatings, allowing for up to 80-90% reduction in coating weight.
The high operating temperature range (-70°C to 600°C), coupled with excellent corrosion protection and low weight, make Polysil an excellent coating in aerospace to reduce fuel consumption, then increase operating range while reducing environmental impact.

In addition to selecting the most appropriate coatings for the required uses, Nanoprom provides its expertise and laboratories to develop new products based on customer specifications. By combining different technologies we can make coatings with distinctive surface properties, combining different functionalizing materials in both nano and micro dimensions:

• Graphene
• Diamond
• Silicon Aerogel
• Amorphous Silicon
• Technical ceramics (SiOx, SiC, SiN, SiCNO)
• Metals

Also under advanced research is the development of an inorganic resin (ceramic matrix) to make silicon or carbon fiber panels that are resistant to very high temperatures with very low thermal conductivity.

Emilia Romagna Aerospace Consortium

Nanoprom is also a founding member of the Emilia Romagna aerospace consortium ANSER (AeroNautics and Space in Emilia Romagna), a group of leading companies providing “Made in Italy” integrated technologies and products for the aerospace and aeronautics sectors.