Mexico.
A coating that increases the life span of steel, plastic and glass to be used in industry was developed by researchers from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP).
It is a composite substance, which contains a polymer that provides flexibility and transparency to which ceramic nanoparticles are incorporated that increase hardness. The result is a homogeneous mixture that stops corrosion and wear, explained researchers Efraín Rubio Rosas and Jenaro Varela Caselis, from the University Center for Linking and Technology Transfer (CUVyTT) of the BUAP.
Rubio Rosas explained that for the manufacture of the compound different chemically modified particles are prepared at a nanometric level and substances such as silicon oxide are incorporated by means of the sol gel technique, which are added to the polymer to obtain a homogeneous and transparent colloidal solution that can adhere to materials without problem.
The coating is used as if it were a paint, a liquid solution is made and given a heat treatment or with ultraviolet light to harden it and apply it by spray or brush. In addition, it has the characteristic of maintaining its transparency.
"If we place the coating on the glass, it adheres strongly and it is impossible to remove it, a situation that does not happen with traditional coatings that with the passage of time can come off."
Another material to which it can adhere is acrylic that has a low resistance to wear, so that when doing a daily cleaning it scratches and becomes opaque, but if the coating is used it is provided with resistance.
"It is a competitive material and can be used for outdoor structures as in the case of Pemex, where metal structures are in a highly corrosive environment," said Rubio Rosas, phD in materials engineering.
Currently the homogeneity and resistance to corrosion is evaluated with different techniques, it has been proven that the coating keeps the materials twice as long in life as when using a traditional one.
The development is in the process of two patents and in conjunction with the technology transfer office of the BUAP its commercialization is sought.
Also, with the intention of enriching the coating, we are working on new proposals that incorporate carbon and graphene nanotubes to modify their properties and can conduct electric current.
Source: www.jornada.unam.mx
