Development of transparent, multifunctional coating developments for hybrid ice protection systems

 
Atmospheric icing of surfaces needs to be prevented in technical areas, where it causes safety risks and technical failures. The German project HEATS ( = heatable, anti-ice functionalized and transparent safety laminated polymeric windshields for aircraft) is aiming at the development of four different functionalities, including (1) an electro-thermal heatable coating, (2) an IR-based heating layer, (3) a passive icephobic coating, and (4) an UV-protection coating for Polycarbonates. The materials are to be combined in a multifunctional, hybrid ice protection system that significantly reduces the energy consumption of the active heaters by providing durable surface technologies. The project receives funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (LuFo VI-1, FKZ: 20Q1960B) and the presentation shows the recent highlights of this ongoing project with the development partners KRD Coatings GmbH and Fraunhofer IFAM.