Coated Metal Corrosion Testing with DC Electrical Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing corrosion resistance tests for coated metal materials are time-consuming and prone to measurement errors, making it difficult to rapidly evaluate the corrosion resistance of coated steel sheets under different conditions and to provide optimal coating conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a corrosion resistance test apparatus that applies a DC constant current or voltage between an electrode and a metal base to accelerate corrosion, using a water-containing material to measure the progress of corrosion by analyzing temporal changes in current, voltage, or resistance values, allowing for the calculation of corrosion progress based on fluctuations in these values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an accelerated corrosion test such as a combined cycle test or a salt spray test is performed, then corrosion resistance can be evaluated, but the testing time requires several months

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistance evaluationVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the test parameters by applying electrochemical potential (voltage/current) to accelerate the corrosion process. Instead of relying on natural corrosion over months, the method applies controlled electrical parameters to speed up the electrochemical reactions, reducing test time from several months to a much shorter duration while maintaining evaluation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurements of swelling size before the corrosion test to establish a baseline. This preliminary action allows the system to track corrosion progress by comparing changes from the initial state, enabling rapid evaluation without waiting for the full corrosion process to complete naturally

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the size of swelling is measured using the electrochemical technique, then the measurement process can be simplified and measurement error reduced, but air bubbles remain inside the swelling and the swelling might further progress during bubble replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswelling size measurementVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of air bubble removal with an electrochemical approach. By applying voltage, the system uses electrochemical reactions to eliminate air bubbles from the swelling without requiring physical manipulation, thereby preventing additional swelling progress that would occur during mechanical bubble removal procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If a DC constant current or DC constant voltage is applied to cause corrosion to progress, then the testing time can be shortened, but temporal changes in current, voltage, or resistance values need to be monitored and analyzed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting speedVSAvoidmeasurement and analysis system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring temporal changes in current, voltage, or resistance values during the electrochemical corrosion test. The system uses this feedback information to calculate corrosion progress in real-time, allowing rapid assessment while managing the complexity through automated data acquisition and analysis procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly reduces testing time and measurement errors, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of corrosion resistance evaluations by correlating temporal changes in electrical values with the progress of corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

applying a DC constant current or a DC constant voltage... to cause corrosion of the coated metal material to progress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical corrosion: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

electrolysis of water also progresses and hydrogen gas is generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolysis of water: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 3

a cathode reaction (reduction reaction) of generating hydroxide ions OH-

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCathode reaction (reduction): Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 4

an anode reaction (oxidation reaction) of generating free electrons by melting (ionizing) metal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnode reaction (oxidation): Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP4624898A1Corrosion resistance test method, corrosion resistance test apparatus, and corrosion resistance test program for coated metal material, and recording medium
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP4624898A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4624898A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4624898A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A corrosion resistance test method for a coated metal material (1) including a metal base (2, 3) and a surface treatment film (4) provided on the metal base (2, 3), the method comprising: a preparation step (S1) of arranging one or two containers (11) holding a water-containing material (6) such that the water-containing material (6) is in contact with the surface treatment film (4) at a test target portion (E) of the coated metal material (1) and one electrode (12) in contact with the water-containing material (6) in the one container (11) or two electrodes (12) in contact with the respective water-containing materials (6) in the two containers (11), and electrically connecting, through an external circuit (7), the electrode (12) and the metal base (2, 3) to each other or the two electrodes (12) to each other; a current supply step (S3) of applying a DC constant current or a DC constant voltage, with a current supplier (8) provided on the external circuit (7), between the electrode (12) serving as an anode and the metal base (2, 3) serving as a cathode or between one of the two electrodes (12) serving as an anode and the other one of the two electrodes (12) serving as a cathode to cause corrosion of the coated metal material (1) to progress; and a calculation step (S4) of calculating a progress degree of the corrosion based on at least one of a temporal change in a current value, a temporal change in a voltage value, or a temporal change in a resistance value, where each temporal change occurs between the electrode (12) and the metal base (2, 3) or between the one of and the other one of the two electrodes (12) when the DC constant current or the DC constant voltage is applied in the current supply step (S3).