Key Points

• Aerospace coatings play a critical role in protecting aircraft and spacecraft from extreme environmental conditions
• Material selection requires careful consideration of thermal, electrical, and RF properties
• Modern aerospace coatings must meet increasingly complex performance requirements
• Working with an experienced manufacturing partner helps ensure optimal coating selection and application

The aerospace industry demands materials that can perform under the most extreme conditions imaginable. From the intense heat of rocket launches to the cold vacuum of space, aerospace coatings must provide reliable protection while meeting strict performance requirements.

When lives and missions depend on material performance, choosing the right aerospace coatings becomes a critical engineering decision that can impact everything from thermal management to RF transparency.

Read Our Comprehensive Guide to Optical and Thermal Coatings

Understanding Modern Aerospace Coatings

Modern aerospace coatings have evolved far beyond simple protective layers. Today's coating systems must often serve multiple functions in the aerospace industry simultaneously while maintaining performance across extreme temperature ranges and harsh environmental conditions.

The complexity of modern aerospace applications requires coatings that can provide:

• Thermal control and management
• EMI/RF shielding or transparency
• Environmental protection
• Static dissipation
• Optical properties control

These capabilities must be maintained while meeting increasingly stringent industry requirements for outgassing, adhesion, and long-term stability.

Critical Performance Requirements

Before selecting aerospace coatings for any application, engineers must carefully evaluate the full range of performance requirements. This evaluation process requires a deep understanding of both the operating environment and the coating's physical properties.

Key performance factors to consider include:

• Temperature range tolerance
• Outgassing characteristics
• Adhesion properties
• RF/EMI shielding properties
• Optical properties
• Environmental resistance
• Application requirements

Each of these factors plays a crucial role in determining coating suitability for specific aerospace applications.

Thermal Control Coatings

In aerospace applications, thermal management can mean the difference between mission success and catastrophic failure. Advanced aerospace coatings play a crucial role in maintaining optimal thermal conditions for spacecraft and aircraft components.

Several specialized thermal control coatings have emerged as industry standards:

MLS-85-SB Black Thermal Control Coating 

This specialized coating combines a highly engineered pigment with a silicone binder to create a versatile thermal control solution. With a thermal emittance of 0.91 ± 0.02 and solar absorptance of 0.98 ± 0.01, it provides exceptional thermal properties across an impressive temperature range from -180°C to 600°C.

The coating's proven performance in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) makes it particularly valuable for space applications. Its resistance to Atomic Oxygen (AO) flux provides critical protection in the harsh LEO environment.

MLS-85-SB-C Conductive Variant

Building on the success of MLS-85-SB, the conductive variant adds electrical conductivity while maintaining the core thermal properties. With a surface resistivity of approximately 105 Ω/sq, this coating provides static dissipation capabilities crucial for sensitive electronic components.

The dual functionality of thermal control and electrical conductivity makes this coating particularly valuable for complex aerospace systems where multiple performance requirements must be met within space and weight constraints.

RF Transparent Solutions

When RF transparency is critical to system performance, material selection becomes even more challenging. Aerospace coatings must maintain their protective properties while allowing RF signals to pass through unimpeded.

Need to shield your devices from RF/EMI signals? We can help you, head over here.

MLP-300-AZ RF Transparent Primer 

This specialized primer creates an RF transparent foundation for thermal control coatings. Its versatility in adhering to various substrates makes it an essential component in many aerospace coating systems:

• Aluminum alloys (including 6061-T6 and 7075-T352)
• Stainless steel
• Epoxy graphite composites
• Cyanate ester composites
• Titanium with conversion coating
• Electroless nickel plating
• Kapton film up to 3 mil thickness

The primer's ability to work with conventional thermal control paints while maintaining RF transparency represents a significant advancement in aerospace coating technology.

Everything you need to know about optical and thermal coatings

Application Considerations

The success of aerospace coatings depends not just on material selection but also on proper application techniques. Different coatings present unique application requirements that must be carefully considered during the design phase.

Key application factors include:

• Environmental controls during application
• Cure time requirements
• Thickness control
• Surface preparation
• Application method compatibility

Each of these factors can significantly impact coating performance and longevity.

Testing and Validation

Aerospace coatings require rigorous testing to ensure they meet performance specifications. Standard testing protocols include:

• ASTM D3359A adhesion testing
• Thermal cycling
• Outgassing evaluation
• Environmental exposure testing
• Optical property verification

The importance of thorough testing cannot be overstated when lives and mission success depend on coating performance.

Environmental Considerations

Modern aerospace coatings must perform in increasingly diverse and challenging environments. From the intense UV exposure at high altitudes to the corrosive effects of space environments, coating selection must account for all potential environmental stressors.

Key environmental factors include:

• Atomic oxygen exposure in LEO
• UV radiation
• Thermal cycling
• Vacuum conditions
• Chemical exposure
• Mechanical stress

Understanding these environmental challenges is crucial for proper coating selection and application.

Quality Control in Aerospace Coatings

The aerospace industry demands the highest levels of quality control in coating applications. Precise thickness control and uniformity are essential for maintaining the specified performance characteristics.

Critical quality control aspects include:

• Thickness measurement and verification
• Surface finish evaluation
• Adhesion testing
• Environmental exposure testing
• Performance validation

These quality control measures help ensure consistent coating performance across all applications.

Partnering with Modus Advanced

When selecting aerospace coatings for critical applications, working with an experienced manufacturing partner can make the difference between success and failure. At Modus Advanced, our engineering team understands the complexities of aerospace coating selection and application.

Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive material selection support
• Design for manufacturability (DFM) review
• Quality control throughout the coating process
• AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified processes

We believe that one day matters when lives depend on coating performance. Our vertically integrated capabilities help accelerate your path to market while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Final Thoughts

The selection and application of aerospace coatings represents a critical engineering decision that impacts system performance, reliability, and safety. Understanding the available options and their specific performance characteristics is essential for making informed decisions.

Partner with Modus Advanced to ensure your aerospace coating requirements are met with the precision and reliability your application demands. Contact our engineering team today to discuss your specific needs and learn how we can help accelerate your path to market without compromising quality.