NUWC enters into agreement with ALFA

NEWPORT – The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport has entered into an agreement with ALFA International Inc. to commercialize a high-performance polyurethane developed for protection of marine acoustic and optical equipment called NUWC XP-1.
Unlike other encapsulates, NUWC XP-1 can be cured at room or elevated temperatures in less than 24 hours, according to a news release from the NUWC.
“Navy chemists and material scientists first developed the polyurethane known as NUWC XP-1 in the 1990s,” Capt. Howard Goldman, commander of the Navy facility, said in a statement. “NUWC Newport has continued investment to optimize the formulation for protection of equipment, such as sonar transducers, from damage caused by water seepage in the undersea environment. Most recently, NUWC Newport has successfully increased the adhesive bonding and clarity of the encapsulate.”
Woonsocket-based ALFA International, a manufacturer and supplier of adhesives, epoxies and polyurethanes, will manufacture and offer the product for sale to government and commercial customers.
“NUWC XP-1 fits nicely into our existing portfolio of products for the electronics, aerospace and telecommunications industries,” Rajab Aboubakr, president of ALFA International, said. “We look forward to working with the Navy and other customers in addressing needs for environmentally-friendly protection of subsea equipment.”