BOZEMAN, Mont. - The Montana State University TechLink center announced today that NASA will test a new coating developed by a Montana company for use on future spacecraft. Aircraft Finishing Systems of Missoula, Mont., created a clear ceramic protective coating for aircraft, called EverShield™ that forms a durable and flexible barrier against the elements. EverShield will be tested at NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, to determine how well the coating can protect satellites from the harsh environment of space.

The agreement between NASA and Aircraft Finishing Systems was facilitated by the TechLink center in Bozeman, a federally funded organization that helps move technology to market.

"Most people think space is a vacuum. This is not the case," said David Weston of TechLink. Satellites must weather chemical attack from atomic oxygen, severe exposure to ultraviolet and X-rays, and extreme temperatures. "The space environment is tough on everything NASA puts up there," Weston said.

The tests, which will be conducted within the next few months, are being designed to demonstrate the utility of this product for NASA applications. The outcome may also indicate EverShield's suitability for protecting watercraft or structures that are subject to extreme environmental conditions.

Current spacecraft protective coatings require special equipment and procedures to apply. EverShield, on the other hand, can be applied like ordinary paint and it has been proven not to yellow, chip, crack, or peel. EverShield is designed to coat surfaces that require a durable, flexible, solvent-resistant, thin coating that can withstand temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Tammy Yedinak, president of Aircraft Finishing Systems, the product offers excellent coverage, durability, and corrosion protection as well as being environmentally friendly and EPA compliant, and has the potential to greatly reduce the costs of protective coatings for spacecraft. "We're all very excited about this opportunity," said Yedinak. "It's thrilling to imagine our products someday flying in orbit."

In addition to EverShield, Aircraft Finishing Systems manufactures a line of environmentally friendly paints, primers, and topcoats for use on aircraft. All AFS products are non-hazardous, EPA compliant, and people safe.

The product testing will be performed by researchers in NASA Glenn's Elecro-Physics Branch. The Electro-Physics Branch develops materials and surfaces that are both high-performance and environmentally durable as well as low temperature electronic components, to meet NASA and other national industrial needs. They use simple, quick, and cost-effective mechanisms to provide services, on a reimbursement basis, to private industry.

TechLink is located at Montana State University in Bozeman and funded by the Department of Defense and NASA to link companies in Montana and the surrounding region with federal laboratories for joint research and technology transfer. Its purpose is to contribute to the success of both technology-based companies and key resource-based industries in the state and region.

CONTACTS:

Will Swearingen
MSU TechLink
(406) 994-7704
wds@montana.edu

Tammy Yedinak
Aircraft Finishing Systems
(800) 653-7200
afs@aircraftfinishing.com

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