May 9, 1995
Donna Drelick
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. 
(Phone:  301/286-7995)

95-090


GODDARD DEVELOPMENT INDUCTED INTO SPACE TECHNOLOGY HALL OF FAME

	The Space Technology Hall of Fame in Indianapolis, Ind., has 
selected a technology developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in 
Greenbelt, Md., for inclusion into the hall of fame on in 1995.

	ÒThe IC531 technology is an excellent example of a NASA product 
being used in our nation's space program and then shared with the private 
sector's said Nona Minnifield, commercial research manager for the Office 
of Commercial Programs at Goddard.  

	Minnifield said IC531 is a superior anti-corrosion coating that 
has been used as a protective coating on the Statue of Liberty and has 
numerous secondary applications in the private sector.  Although the 
technology for the anti-corrosion coating was developed 18 years ago, 
IC531 marketability continues to grow today, Minnfield said.

	The successful technology development story began at Goddard in 
the 1970s when NASA realized a need for superior coatings of structures at 
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  Not only were these structures 
exposed to the elements of coastal ocean spray and fog, but also had to 
withstand the extreme heat and shock of rock launches.

	Goddard scientists and engineers developed a protective product 
for the launch structures, and discovered an inorganic, zinc-rich material 
that offered cost advantages in materials and maximum maintenance 
effectiveness. The conventional anti-corrosion coatings are formulated of 
zinc dust in an organic binder which requires two application coats for 
effectiveness. The Goddard-developed zinc-rich coating with a special 
binder requires one coat--and the materials cost less than conventional 
protective coatings.
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	The formula for IC531 has been tested successful for outstanding 
corrosion protection over long periods of time in severe environments 
around the world and is extremely adaptable for a variety of products.
	
	Because of the applicability of this coating, a patent was issued 
to NASA for the formula.  In 1981, NASA granted a license for the commercial
development of the coating to Shane Associates, Inc. of Wynnewood, Pa.  In 
1982, Inorganic Coatings, Inc. of Malvern, Pa., signed an agreement to 
become sole manufacturer and sales agent of the NASA compound under the 
trade name IC531.  The result is a non-toxic, water-based material that 
bonds to steel and dries to a ceramic-like durable finish within 30 
minutes.

	Since that time, a variety of IC531 formulas have been marketed 
world-wide.  What began as a concept in a laboratory at Goddard, now is 
used as a protective coating on pipelines, water facilities, power stations, 
ship and dock equipment, and bridges throughout the world. 


	Most recently, a formula variant has been applied to automobile 
brake rotors on Chevrolet and Ford Motor Company vehicles.  This product, 
IC531 Automotive ThinFilm, will be applied to an estimated 16 million 
vehicles annually.  NASA receives a 2.5 percent royalty on sales of all 
these technology transfer products.
	
	The Office of Commercial Programs manages technology transfer 
programs at Goddard.  For those persons interested in obtaining more 
information about the governmentÕs technology transfer efforts, 
individuals can find it on the Internet  using the following URL:

http://coney.gsfc.nasa.gov/gsfc-tto/messages.html 
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Photo/Video Note:  News media interested in obtaining photos or video of 
the IC531 product should contact the Goddard point of contact listed at 
the top of the release.