Spain. Researchers from the Jaume I University developed a type of paint for metals with greater corrosion protection, which has as a novelty the use of the elements in the treatment of paints through three chemically different ways and the synergistic effect that they produce.
According to the researchers, the combination of the components means that when interacting with each other, the adhesion of the paint to the metal substrate is optimized and the anticorrosive properties are improved. In this way, the new coatings offer with a single layer a protection as good as when using a pretreatment.
The researcher José Javier Gracenea said that the idea of the project "is to avoid pretreatment and eliminate a productive stage and everything that entails in time and money, since the preparation of the metal always supposes a supplementary and expensive stage".
In principle, the new coating is applicable to all types of metals, although, according to Gracenea, "we are currently working with aluminum, steel and galvanized steel, since between the three they account for 99% of the most used industrial metals. For example, aluminum is used for all types of metallized carpentry, steel is present in most household appliances and galvanized steel is chosen for the manufacture of poles or street lamps."
It is expected that this new type of paint will be on the market within two years and its use will mean a saving of around 20%, an important figure when talking about high volumes.
