A host of metallic bearings on different components of the SSA such as helmet, neck, wrist, arm, waist, leg, and boot can benefit from the developed self-healing insulative coating. A SHC system on metallic substrates which exhibits self-healing at room temperature, provides electrical insulation, and mitigates shock hazard, is a unique NASA application. To the best of our knowledge, currently, there is no commercially available coating solution to meet NASA's requirement. As the proposed SHC system is meant to satisfy a specific NASA need for a durable and insulative coating on the metallic components of a space suit, the technology is applicable for present and future NASA missions, such as spacesuits for Extravehicular Activities (EVA), Portable Life Support System (PLSS), Mars 2020 Rover Mission, Asteroid Redirect Mission 2020s and Human Exploration of Mars. The focus of the current effort is on applying the coating on stainless steel, titanium and aluminum. Potential commercial applications for a self-healing, electrically-insulating coating system include uses where protection is needed against either shock hazards or corrosion, or even physical damage. The coating technology is a potential solution for being used as a chromate-free coating system that is capable of self-healing cuts and scratches at ambient temperatures without any external heat or stimulus, thereby limiting corrosion. A SHC system on aluminum is particularly relevant as it is the structural material in the aviation industry where presently hexavalent chromium based coatings are used, despite significant risk to human health. Currently, there are no qualified complete non-chrome coating systems, thus presenting an unmet need and an opportunity for the coating system being developed in this program. Introduction of a barrier coating with room temperature self-healing function will facilitate establishing a chromate-free system with performance equivalent to that of a chromate-containing coating. Accordingly, the SHC system would not only be an environmentally-friendly alternative to current coating systems that contain hexavalent chromium, but it would also result in significant cost savings as fewer aircraft would be forced out of operation for maintenance and repairs due to the coating system's self-healing capabilities.
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