Anodized aluminium pressure sensitive paint: Effect of paint application technique

The porous surface of the Anodized Aluminium Pressure Sensitive Paint (AA-PSP) is what differentiates it from conventional sol–gel based PSPs, leading to a faster response time of the paint. The objective of the current study is to examine the effect of the paint application technique, i.e., whether the AA substrate is dipped or sprayed, on the pressure and temperature sensitivity. A more practical procedure for preparing the AA samples is also presented. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images are acquired together with the calibration of the AA-PSP at various temperatures and pressures to determine the effectiveness of each application technique. The results revealed that the AA sample which was dipped in the PSP solution shows a higher pressure sensitivity than the sprayed one. The SEMs show that spraying leads to the covering up of the micropores created on the surface and undermining the benefit of anodization.

► Anodized aluminium pressure sensitive paints (AA-PSPs) are well known for their fast response times for measuring pressure.
► AA-PSP requires the model to be dipped in a reservoir containing the PSP, requiring large amounts of paint which is costly.
► Compared to sprayed samples, dipped samples exhibit a lower signal level but higher pressure and temperature sensitivity.