Engineers from the Bauman Moscow State Technical University have developed impact-resistant and anti-icing coatings for turbojet engines. According to the university, its erosion resistance is at least twice that of foreign counterparts.

«The materials were tested on a stand simulating flight altitudes from 6 to 7.6 thousand meters at temperatures from -4 °F to -22 °F in icing conditions. As a result of the tests on engine parts with anti-icing coating, ice was practically absent, while on surfaces where standard coating was used, the ice thickness reached 7 mm,» explained the developer.

It is noted that the coating is based on polyurethane modified with organosilicon compounds. It gives the coating high strength, while the organosilicon compounds provide hydrophobicity. The developed composition simultaneously provides anti-icing and impact-resistant effects.

Abrasive wear significantly affects such characteristics of a gas turbine engine as fuel consumption, operational stability, maintenance costs, and flight safety. At the same time, abrasive wear of surfaces protected by the coating is minimized. The uniqueness of the coating lies in the fact that, due to its extremely high strength, impact toughness, and low surface energy, it simultaneously protects against abrasive wear and significantly reduces the likelihood of ice formation

expert from the development center