PPG Aerospace solar-control coatings use eggplant-like technology for cooler planes

A new solar-heat-management coating system by PPG Industries' aerospace business helps keep aircraft passenger cabins cooler.

A novel PPG Aerospace solar-heat-management coating system can reduce external aircraft skin temperatures up to 25°F, helping keep interior cabin temperatures cooler by five to seven degrees.

PPG global director for aerospace coatings Mark Cancilla said: "Airlines often avoid dark colors for airplane liveries because they can absorb as much as 90% of solar energy, which in turn heats the interior while a plane is on the ground.

"Our innovative paint technology means airlines no longer have to avoid dark colors. In fact, the darker the color, the greater the difference there is in total solar reflectance. There is no compromise of other coating properties."

PPG solar-heat-management coatings technology is based on development of novel pigment dispersions, or stainers, that increase transmittance of near-infrared energy, or heat, through a dark coating and increase the subsequent reflection from a white underlayer.

Cancilla explained that the technology is modeled after the eggplant, which naturally remains cool to the touch even when exposed to intense sunshine. The eggplant's dark purple skin does not absorb near-IR radiation but transmits it to the white interior flesh, where it is reflected and transmitted out through the skin. PPG's technology works in the same way

The solar-heat-management coating system is being evaluated by several airlines and aircraft manufacturers.