Army Recognizes Lumidize in Multiphase National Competition

LumiShield Technologies’ Lumidize adhesion-promoting, corrosion-resistant coatings for metal substrates was named a Phase I finalist in the U.S. Army’s national xTechSearch, giving the company the opportunity to show its product to experts and customers from the Army at the January competition in Austin, Texas.

The xTechSearch competition is sponsored by the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology to uncover novel dual-use science and technology solutions to address the Army’s most critical modernization challenges. Significant monetary awards are given to finalists in each of four competition phases.

LumiShield was one of 48 Phase I companies chosen from more than 300 applications. Only 24 of those will be elevated to Phase II and receive $10,000 in funding and promotional considerations at the AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exposition, which is March 17-19. Phase III finalists receive $120,000, while the Phase IV grand prize winner receives $250,000. Phase III winners are expected to be announced in late March. 

”LumiShield’s plan is to tailor its Lumidize electroplating process for the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program as an undercoat to maximize paint adhesion and prevent corrosion,”says Dr. John Watkins, LumiShield senior chemist.

Lumidize is an aqueous process that plates aluminum oxide onto conductive substrates. According to the company, the resultant electroplate (0.1 mil or less) forms a hard, tenacious barrier layer, maximizing the adhesion of organic materials and improving corrosion resistance. Lumidize is said to be equivalent to trichrome passivate for aluminum alloys, up to 1,000 hours of salt spray. It is a fully functional replacement for phosphates and primers when applied prior to paint or powder coating on steel, withstanding 1,500 hours of salt spray with no scribe delamination.

In addition to functioning as an advanced pretreatment, Lumidize is a stand-alone coating. With the application of seals, the finish can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Its low toxicity, dyeable formula gives product designers freedom in tailoring finishes for performance and aesthetic effect.

Visit lumishieldtech.com.