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=

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members= {| width="90%" border="0" Mark Currier
 * - align="left"
 * - align="left"

Major: Material Science

Hometown: x

Responsibility: Team Leader

Email: curr8168@vandals.uidaho.edu

Sara Beatty

Major: Material Science

Hometown: x

Responsibility: Documentation Lead

Email: beat4576@vandals.uidaho.edu

Tyler Wallace
 * - align="left"

Major: Material science

Hometown: x

Responsibility: x

Email: wall9454@vandals.uidaho.edu

Cassidy Sory

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Sandpoint, Idaho

Responsibility: Budget Manager

Email: stor5666@vandals.uidaho.edu

Kyle Mays
 * - align="left"

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Woodland hills, California

Responsibility: Wikipage manager

Email: Mays4003@vandals.uidaho.edu

=Additional Documentation= Budget

Project Schedule

Meeting Minutes

Presentations

Client Interview