Infrared emissivity properties of infrared stealth coatings prepared by water-based technologies

The infrared stealth coatings were prepared using water-based techniques composed of aluminum powder with different particles sizes (325 mesh, 500 mesh, 800 mesh, 1000 mesh, 1200 mesh, 1500 mesh) embedded in different matrix resins (acrylic resin, epoxy resin and polyurethane resin). The relationship between the type and the viscosity of resins and the infrared emissivity of different coatings was discussed. The effects of the particles size and content on the infrared emissivity of coatings were also studied. The results showed that the polyurethane resin (PR)-Al coatings demonstrated the lowest infrared emissivity, suggesting that they were suitable to be used as infrared stealth coatings. The infrared emissivity of coatings gradually decreased in an almost linear relationship with the increase of matrix resin viscosity. The optimum aluminum particles size was 325 mesh. The infrared emissivity of coatings decreased with the increase of the aluminum powder content.