Effectiveness of Coatings of Differing Abrasiveness, Luster, and Color on Reflectivity at Three Different Wavelengths

Overview

Objectives/Goals Project was a continuation of a previous project that I had done. It concentrated its results on the variables of reflectivity rather than the variables of a stealth vehicle in the visible spectrum. A stealth coating should use these findings and incorporate them into a stealth coating design. Methods/Materials 1) Panel (1) was situated at a specified distance from the beam source and 7.5cm x 20cm solar panel 2) Panel was clamped by a holding device (2) and a piece of flat wood was supporting the panel from the back to ensure the panel didn#t warp. 3) Solar panel (3) was positioned so would be perpendicular to he incoming light. 4) 200mW Red, Green, or Violet Laser (4) was mounted so it strikes the panel at dead center. 5) A visual porthole (5) was used to help guide the laser beam to the center of the panel. 6) A digital camera (6) was later installed to indirectly view the laser beam for eye safety reasons. 7) A volt meter (7) was used to measure the voltage produced by the received light on the solar panel. Results Abrasive materials had slight increase in reflectivity with finer material Reflectivity varies with luster Darker colors reflected less than lighter colors Conclusions/Discussion As ruggedness of abrasive decreased, voltage readout increased. May be due to increase in specular reflection Diffuse reflection would increase with reduction of FEPA rating for abrasive (coarseness) With decreasing abrasiveness, there was increasing reflectivity Darker colors absorb more light Panel with greater luster will reflect more.

Competition history

• CSEF 2011 Physics & Astronomy · Entry S1812

Resources

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