Corrosion at waveguide joints is a major problem area reported in US military fire control system (FCS) antenna assemblies. Due to inherent crevices, dissimilar metals, thermal cycling, and direct exposure to a hostile and dynamic marine environment, waveguide flange connections are highly susceptible to severe and rapid corrosive attack. To aggravate the problem even fin-her, many antenna assemblies on US naval vessels are placed at locations which are very hard to get to and
inspect and even more difficult (if not impossible) to repair or perform corrective/routine maintenance in place. Polysulfide sealant and tape wrap systems are common methods used today to seal waveguide joints against the environment. However, both these methods must be
continually monitored and require stripping and reapplication at least every two years. High quality workmanship and care in applying these systems are crucial to their effectiveness. In acknowledgment of these shotialls, a silicon based polymer gel encapsulation system was developed for and tested on unobstructed X-band waveguide. Results from this study have shown that the silicon based polymer gel encapsulation system provides superior corrosion protection, is extremely easy to apply and remove, will end the need for continual monitoring, and double or perhaps even triple the periodicity between needed removal and reapplication compared to current polysulfide,
tape wrap, and paint systems.
Keywords: encapsulation, polysulfide sealant, silicon based polymer gel, tape wrap systems, waveguide joint