Lower alkyl carboxylic acid moieties for preventing oxidative corrosion of metals and organoleptic stabilizer for food and beverages

Abstract

Compositions and methods are disclosed for preventing the oxidative corrosion of metal surfaces by exposing a metal surface to an anti-corrosion agent characterized as a lower alkyl carboxylic acid or salts and / or other derivatives that conserve or embody the lower alkyl carboxylic acid moiety present in their molecular structures as an active anti-corrosion agent. The anti-corrosion agent may be used in combination with a material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over the metal surface. The compositions and methods of the invention provide a practical, non-toxic way of ensuring anti-corrosion protection for metals, or devices containing exposed metals, stored or operated in water or in the presence of water vapor. Exemplary, non-exhaustive uses of the invention include employing the composition as lubricant for the surface of a metal or as a pump oil or brake fluid; using the composition as an undercoating for painting, electro-plating or electro-polishing procedures; and providing a protective coating for any metal or metal-containing machine or device, form automotive assembly plant metal press machines to electronic circuit boards.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 606,946, filed Jun. 26, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 448,153 filed Feb. 19, 2003, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Corrosion is a serious problem that affects and undermines the quality of everyday social life and the endurance of industrial products. Extensive efforts have been undertaken to design and fabricate products such as steam generators, heat exchangers, bridges, oil drilling platforms and motor vehicles that can resist the destructive effects of corrosion. For many traditional products, however, corrosion continues to be a serious destructive problem. In addition to traditional products, new developments in energy sources, advances in material sciences, microprocessing technology and miniaturization of new devices to the micron scale all...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Although not wishing to be bound by any theory or explanation of the invention, it is currently believed that the anti-corrosion agent spontaneously adsorbs or chelates to metal surfaces from water solutions so as to produce an organometallic barrier coating. In addition, the residual anti-corrosion agent, after having had an opportunity to adsorb to the metal surface, can remain as an aqueous solution where it effectively alters the normal dielectric properties of available water that could contribute to the water's ordinary corrosion properties.

[0016] The compositions and methods of the invention provide a practical, non-toxic way of ensuring anti-corrosion protection for metals, or devices containing exposed metals, stored or operated in water or in the presence of water vapor. Exemplary, non-inclusive uses include employing the composition as a lubricant for the surface of a metal or as a pump oil or brake fluid; using the composition as an undercoating for painting, electro-plating or electro-polishing procedures; and providing a protective coating for any metal or metal-containing machine or device, from automotive assembly plant metal press machines to electronic circuit boards.

[0017] The present invention also provides methods of preparing food and / or beverage preservatives. In this embodiment of the invention, an ingestible anti-corrosion agent, such as an ingestible lower alkyl carboxylic acid moiety, is combined with a suitable food grade polymer. The anti-corrosion agent and polymer are admixed in a particular order to maximize the preservative properties thereof.

Problems solved by technology

Corrosion is a serious problem that affects and undermines the quality of everyday social life and the endurance of industrial products.

For many traditional products, however, corrosion continues to be a serious destructive problem.

Implementation of such strategies usually produces an inflexible anti-corrosion barrier on metal surfaces, and once applied, its removal may be difficult or impossible.

In addition, the removal of such coatings can generate potentially hazardous waste materials.

For those situations where micro-mechanical or circuit-based devices display corrosion tendencies, aggressive industrial anti-corrosion methods may be totally unsuitable and physically damaging.