Enclosed vessels, such as U.S. Navy ships, are susceptible to the spread of contagions due to close quarters and shared ventilation. Contagions can be transmitted to different hosts via contaminated inanimate surfaces, such as plastics, metals, and glass. Disinfection of surfaces is critical for prevention and mitigation of viral and bacterial spread. In addition, there are many non-accessible areas on ships, such as overhead spaces, ventilation spaces, confined spaces, and densely packed piping that cannot be easily cleaned. With all cleaning methodology, choice and concentration of disinfectant is critical to performance. Disinfectant must be chosen to allow control of a broad range of microorganisms. In addition, manual cleaning is a reactive measure that is difficult to perform effectively aboard ship.

There is high value for proactive and passive long-term measures to reduce risk of contagion deposition on surfaces, transmission, and infection of Ship’s Force.

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) is planning a three-year project to develop and demonstrate a non-halogenated, Oxsol-free, waterborne, antibacterial coating, with superior fire resistance compared to conventional MIL-PRF-24596 and MIL-DTL-24607 coatings. Demonstration of the effectiveness of the antibacterial coatings will take place in three concurrent/interdependent phases. Formulation and internal testing (Phase I) will be performed by Sherwin-Williams with NSWCCD and Naval Research Laboratory-South (NRL-SOUTH) providing technical readiness requirements. Laboratory testing (Phase II) for conformance to MIL-PRF-24596 performed by NSWCCD and antibacterial performance under representative conditions by NRL-SOUTH will focus on evaluating the prototype coating. Phase III will perform a ship demonstration in medical and/or high residence spaces.

Success for this effort will result in the following deliverables: (Phase I) a novel formulation of antibacterial coating, (Phase II) internal Navy conformance testing and validation of antibacterial performance, (Phase III) specification revision with novel performance criteria for antibacterial coatings, (Phase IV) successful in-service demonstration of antibacterial coatings demonstrating conformance to MIL-PRF-234596, and (Phase V) creation of national stock number and implementation through technical manual revision and socialization with the fleet and Naval Sea Systems Command stakeholders. Successful demonstration of this material will increase the use of waterborne MIL-PRF-24596 coatings and reduce the use of MIL-DTL-24607 halogenated coatings. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2026)