ALFA International has entered an agreement with NUWC to commercialise its encapsulant, which was developed to protect marine acoustic and optical equipment.
Its two-part polyurethane exhibits good hydrolytic stability and exceptional acoustic properties, while also being optically clear.
Unlike other encapsulates, NUWC XP-1 can be cured at room or elevated temperatures in less than 24 hours.
Commander of the navy facility Captain Howard Goldman said "Navy chemists and material scientists first developed the polyurethane known as NUWC XP-1 in the 1990’s.
"NUWC Newport has continued investment to optimize the formulation for protection of equipment, such as sonar transducers, from damage caused by water seepage in the undersea environment.
Most recently, NUWC Newport has successfully increased the adhesive bonding and clarity of the encapsulate."
ALFA International has been a manufacturer and supplier of adhesives, epoxies, and polyurethanes since 1996. It offers its products to government and commercial customers.
Its president Rajab Aboubakr said "NUWC XP-1 fits nicely into our existing portfolio of products for the electronics, aerospace and telecommunications industries
"We look forward to working with the Navy and other customers in addressing needs for environmentally friendly protection of subsea equipment."
NUWC Newport is a U.S. Navy naval sea system command laboratory devoted to research, development, testing, and evaluation of undersea warfare systems.
Located in Middletown, the division makes its research products available for commercial development under patent license agreements and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA).
Material test fixtures patented by the command have been used to develop composite decking materials for bridges, specialized fabric for rigid hull inflatable boats, and body armor.
Image enhancement techniques licensed from NUWC by Advanced Image Enhancement are now incorporated in the software suite of an international digital mammography equipment supplier.