Letter 8097

Anti-reflective paint 

+

We are looking for a source for anti-reflective black paint to coat metal in an optical instrument. Flat-black paint works, but we are looking for a paint with as little reflectivity as possible. Our light source is infrared.

Thank you.

Larry Sears
- Cleveland, OH, USA

I have had some experience in coatings for the military that were foumulated for absorbing/scattering of IR light. If I remember correctly (it was quite some time ago) we used a CARC paint developed by Pratt & Lambertt.

Chuck Stairs
- Rockford, IL, USA

You can still get (chemical agent resistant coating) CARC paint; one of the companies I worked for recently made equipment for clearing minefields and had to paint it uing CARC for the USMC and US Army (amongst others) during the 2nd Gulf Conflict.
It's not nice as it is a 2-pack isocyanate cured product and if you spray it you MUST use an airfed breathing mask and adequate extraction. Brush or roller applied is okay, provided you use adequate ventilation especially during the application and curing stages.
For suppliers look at someone like Hentzen coatings in the States, or Paint Services Group in the UK.

Regards,

Jeff Mein
- Washington, Tyne & Wear, England.

Post a question on a different subject.

 

Answer or follow-up on this subject (in non-commercial fashion).