Paint Additive Evaluation and Characterization

=Problem Definition= Our goal is to evaluate the thermal resistance, solar heat reflectance, and microstructure durability of two novel paint additive technologies.

Background
Many paint additives have started being tested in many various applications. There have been multiple tests that show that these additives can have some benefits to thermal resistivity, temperature reduction, and some degree of EMF protection. There are two main types of different paint additives that have been tested the first being a nano-ceramic additive and the second being a phase change additive. Both of these additives modify the thermal conductivity (k) and the emissivity (Ɛ) of the base paint. These help to reduce the heat absorption rate from radiated and latent heat. In addition to the beneficial properties, these additives are relatively cheap when compared to the price of a coating system. if a temperature drop could be observed under strenuous testing in a variety of environments and meet paint coating test specifications it could be a great cost per benefit solution to reflect heat and reduce internal temperatures.

Deliverables
The addition of these paint additives must show the following:
 * Show a temperature reduction of 5 degrees Fahrenheit in warm weather
 * Increase thermal resistivity to provide insulation and an increase from the ambient temperature of 5 degrees
 * Meet Salt fog testing (ASTM B117) Requirements for 1500 hours of testing ​
 * Meet Mean Creepback Rating (ASTM D1654, Procedure A) for 1500 hours of testing

Value Proposistion Statement
The lifetime of electronic devices, found inside enclosures, is significantly shortened when exposed to environmental extremes. Because there are thousands of enclosures in rural locations, hot and cold climates, it is essential to develop an affordable, maintenance-free method to extend the life of the enclosure’s internal electronic devices. By using affordable paint additive technologies any improvement in performance and extension of application life will be financially beneficial for the client. The Nano-Vandalyzers are offering an affordable, simple solution to reduce the thermal degradation of electrical enclosures in order to extend the battery life and reduce the possibilities of a short circuit due to a buildup of condensation. We will coat SEL’s enclosures with the paint additive technologies to evaluate the thermal resistance, solar heat reflectance, and microstructure durability of the enclosure surface.

=Design Considerations=

Testing Stand Design
A test stand had to be designed to create a uniform and consistent testing environment to achieve the best results from temperature and heat flux testing. In addition to these requirements. The test stands also had to be designed to assemble quickly and take up a minimum amount of room. The test stand was designed to be mounted on a 4' by 4' piece of plywood with a 4" by 4" stand to mount the cabinets with a large lag screw. The 4" by 4" is supported by three 2"x4" struts cut at a 45-degree angle and fastened to the plywood.

Thermal resistivity Testing
In order to create thermal resistivity models, the thermal conductivity constant (k) of each coating had to be found. These values are found by using Fourier's law in one dimension : $$\phi_\text{q} = -k \frac{dT(x)}{dx}$$ With (k) being the thermal conductivity factor, $$\phi_\text{q}$$ representing the heat flux across the surface and $$\frac{dT(x)}{dx}$$ representing the temperature gradient across the surface. The heat flux is measured by the use of a heat flux sensor affixed to the inside of the front door of the box. By using this method, it allows us to sum the amount of heat transferred from radiation as well as conduction. The inside and outside temperatures are measured by temperature sensors place on the inside and outside surfaces of the box. With these measurements, the thermal conductivity and thus the thermal resistivity can be found for each paint additive applied.

Temperature Sensor Placement
In the electronics that are placed inside of these containers, There is a battery that powers the previously mentioned electronics. This component is one of the most susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures and extreme temperature fluctuations. In the cabinets, the battery is placed in the bottom right of the enclosure. Because of this, the sensors were placed on the front door of the cabinet, the bottom of the cabinet, and on the inside of the cabinet near the bottom of the enclosure. these locations allowed us to have temperature information where it is most important to the supplier.

=Project Learning=

Expected results

 * A vast array of temperature data in various climates
 * Material properties of each respective coating
 * data about the durability of each coating in various environments
 * Thermal conductivity and resistivity information and models
 * EMF protection information for each respective coating

=Validation= =References= =Team Members=

=Additional Documentation= Meeting Minutes Budget Schedule Snapshot Presentations
 * NanoTech Vandalizers Meeting minutes
 * NanoTech Vandalizers Budget
 * NanoTech Vandalizers Gannt Chart
 * NanoTech Vandalizers Snapshot 1