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Flying a plane is a lifelong passion for Doug Juanarena (whan-ah-reen-ah).
Whether you're a passenger or a pilot, on a private plane or a commercial jetliner, the excitement of flying can turn dangerous if the aircraft is damaged.
Undetected damage, like tiny cracks, flaws or weak points, is a big problem on airplanes. Now, chemists are testing a new paint that changes color to instantly reveal damage on planes.
It's tuned to be able to release a dye to be able to change different color based on the level of impact.
Micro-capsules containing a colored dye are mixed together with aircraft paint. If the paint is scratched, dented, or struck the capsules break, releasing the dye. The change in color pinpoints damage. Visual inspections are easier and more accurate.
This technology is important to be able to detect damage very simply and cheaply.
The new paint is being developed first for the military. Next, it will be used on commercial and private planes. Until then, Doug will rely on his own eyes for damage control.
PAINT THAT CAN PREVENT PLANE CRASHES,
SENSITIVE PAINT: Capsules of dye that can be included in paint make safety inspections of airplane exteriors easier. Collisions or other stresses break apart the capsules, releasing a contrastingly colored dye, bringing attention to areas that may be weakened structurally. This is especially important with modern aircraft exteriors made of polymer composites which do not absorb damage in the same way as metal exteriors. Color changes will alert inspectors to inspect damage that could otherwise prove easy to skip over.
ALL ABOUT PAINT: The technical definition of paint is any liquid substance that converts into an opaque solid film after being applied to a surface in a thin layer. We think of paint as being used for decorative purposes, such as adding color to the walls and trim in a room. But paint can also be used to protect a surface, such using it to slow the corrosion process of metal. It can also have added functions, such as improving the light reflection or heat radiation of a surface. Paint has three primary components: pigments (for color), binder, and a “vehicle,” also called solvent. The solvent is critical to determining the thickness and flow of the paint. The solvent also serves as a carrier for the binder and pigments. Many paints also contain surfactants: agents that allow more space between the molecules of a liquid. This means it can be more easily spread onto a surface. Extra additives can also give the liquid properties like antifreeze, long-lasting color, or antimicrobial capability.
The Materials Research Society contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.
ON THE WEB: http://www.lunainnovations.com/technologies/impact.htm
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