Conductive polymers developed to replace chromates

Citation

(2004), "Conductive polymers developed to replace chromates", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 33 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2004.12933fad.005

Conductive polymers developed to replace chromates

Conductive polymers developed to replace chromates

Keywords: Polymers, Corrosion resistance, Coatings technology

A new group of corrosion-resistant, conducting polymers has been developed as a replacement for toxic chromates in paints and other coating systems by the group led by Professor Sze Yang at the University of Rhode Island. The new product is a conducting polymer that is added as an additive and can emulate the most important functions of chromates, i.e. it inhibits the process of corrosion electrochemically. Unlike other efforts to develop single-strand, corrosion-resistant conducting polymers, this low-cost polymer has a second strand that allows a variety of modifications to its physical structure, making it more malleable and adaptable for many application processes, including spraying, dipping or spin coating. Major potential markets include coating of aluminum alloys for aircraft, aluminum and steel for the automotive industry, and concrete-reinforcing bars for bridges, highways and buildings. The polymers are effective as a low-cost, minor additive to paint, and can be soluble in commercial paint solvents and used in water-based epoxies. It is also effective for surface treatments, steel coil coating, and as a corrosion resistant primer under other resin-coating systems. For further details contact: Professor Sze Cheng Yang, University of Rhode Island. E-mail: syang@chm.uri.edu; Web site: |www.chm.uri.edu|