Chromate-Free Primer Using Epoxy and Silane Crosslinker

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current corrosion-resistant coatings for metal substrates, such as those using strontium chromate, are toxic and carcinogenic, posing environmental concerns and disposal issues, necessitating the development of alternatives that provide effective corrosion resistance without chromate pigments.

Innovation Solution

A multi-component coating composition comprising an epoxy functional resin, corrosion-resistant magnesium oxide particles, and a crosslinker with dual functionality that reacts with the epoxy resin and self-crosslinks, offering enhanced corrosion resistance and adhesion promotion while being free of chromate and rare earth elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If strontium chromate is used as a corrosion inhibitor, then corrosion resistance is improved, but environmental safety and human health are worsened due to toxicity and carcinogenicity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidtoxicity and carcinogenicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the harmful chromate pigment from the coating formulation while preserving the corrosion protection function through alternative mechanisms involving epoxy functional resin, silane crosslinker, and corrosion resisting particles such as zinc phosphate or calcium hydroxyl phosphate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating by replacing strontium chromate with environmentally friendly alternatives, specifically using epoxy functional resin combined with silane crosslinkers and safe corrosion resisting particles to achieve the same protective function without toxicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chromate-free alternatives are used, then environmental safety is improved, but corrosion resistance may be worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidcorrosion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite coating system combining epoxy functional resin, silane crosslinker, and corrosion resisting particles (zinc phosphate or calcium hydroxyl phosphate) to achieve corrosion protection comparable to or exceeding chromate-based coatings while maintaining environmental safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The silane crosslinker acts as an intermediary that forms strong chemical bonds with both the epoxy resin and the substrate surface, enhancing adhesion and corrosion resistance without requiring toxic chromate pigments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If conventional corrosion inhibitors are replaced, then environmental disposal issues are improved, but coating performance may be worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste disposal issuesVSAvoidcoating performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coating system provides self-reinforcing corrosion protection through the synergistic interaction of epoxy resin, silane crosslinker, and corrosion resisting particles, eliminating the need for chromate pigments while maintaining or enhancing protective performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The silane crosslinker performs multiple functions simultaneously: it crosslinks the epoxy resin to form a durable network, adheres to the substrate surface for strong bonding, and provides corrosion resistance, replacing the multiple roles previously filled by chromate pigments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The coating composition effectively prevents corrosion and adhesion issues on metal substrates, demonstrating excellent performance in tests such as adhesion, filiform corrosion, and salt spray resistance, while being environmentally friendly by eliminating toxic chromate-based materials.

Implementation Method 1

a crosslinker having a first functionality that will crosslink with the epoxy functionality

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a second functionality that self-crosslinks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-crosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

corrosion resisting particle... provides excellent corrosion resistance for the metal substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorrosion inhibition:

Implementation Method 4

the second functionality may also act as an adhesion promoter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3140356B2Chromate free pretreatment primer
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 PRC DESOTO INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A coating comprising epoxy functional resin, corrosion resistant particles, and a multi-functional crosslinker are disclosed as are methods of using such a coating to coat at least a portion of a substrate and a substrate coated thereby.