Corrosion resistance

Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have patented an ultrathin film that, when used to coat metal surfaces, makes them resistant to corrosion and eliminates the need for hexavalent chromium.

The Engineer Online has discovered that the corrosion-resistant coating is derived from a partially cross-linked amido-functionalised silanol component in combination with rare-earth metal oxide nanoparticles, particularly cerium acetate. 

According to chemist Toshifumi Sugama, a researcher at Brookhaven and the inventor of the coating, it can be produced on a metal using a simple two- or three-step process.

Corrosion resistance is essential for metals used in a range of applications, including electronics, aviation and power plants.

Hexavalent chromium has traditionally provided the best corrosion resistance but it is toxic to humans and can pollute the environment.

Sugama’s new coating achieves several goals - low toxicity and excellent corrosion resistance in a film measuring less than 10 nanometres.

It can be applied to an array of metals, including aluminium, steel, nickel, zinc, copper, bronze and brass.