Preliminary Tests of Gloss-Reduction and Coloring Agents for Camouflage of Polyvinyl Acetate Dust-Control Film

DCA-1295 is a special polyvinyl acetate PVA formulation developed for the U.S. department of the Army for use as a dust-control surface on expedient airstrips and adjacent service areas. The PVA is sprayed over a fiberglass scrim to form a thin film over the ground surface, and has been field tested and proven effective for its design purpose. However, the PVA film cures to a glossy, highly reflective surface that can be easily detected by enemy surveillance systems, is potentially highly attractive to target-seeking missile guidance devices, and sometimes creates hazardous visibility conditions for aircraft landings. The purpose of the work reported herein was to search for possible means for reducing the glassiness of the cured PVA surface, with the possibility for adding camouflage coloration also considered. A formula was found for mixing colored chalk dust marking chalk powder with DCA-1295 concentrate to produce an emulsion that can be painted brushed, rolled, or sprayed on the cured, in-place PVA film, and that cures to a tough, nonglossy, colored surface. This formulation formed a good bond with the cured film, and in a field test withstood direct sun and weather for 11 months, well beyond the 6- month design life of the film. In addition, this formulation was also applied, with satisfactory results, to a cured DCA-1295 film without the fiberglass reinforcement previously spray-coated onto metal landing mat and fiber membrane. None of the experimental substances produced satisfactory results when admixed directly with the DCA-1295 emulsion for direct application to the fiberglass scrim during initial installation.