Organic Amine Corrosion Inhibitor Layer for Metal Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional corrosion inhibitors used in paints and cooling systems, such as zinc and chromates, are toxic and environmentally harmful, leading to significant corrosion damage in metal products and steel-reinforced concrete structures, necessitating the development of non-toxic, heavy metal-free alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mixture of organic amines, phosphoric acid or inorganic phosphates, and metal oxides or hydroxides is used to form a corrosion-inhibiting layer on metal surfaces, which can be applied before painting, in cooling systems, and added to concrete mixtures to prevent corrosion in reinforcement steel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional corrosion inhibitors such as zinc and chromates are used, then corrosion protection is achieved, but toxicity and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion protectionVSAvoidtoxicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of corrosion inhibitors by replacing heavy metal-based compounds (zinc, chromates) with organic amine-based compounds. This parameter change maintains the corrosion protection function while eliminating toxicity, as the organic amines form protective films without the harmful environmental effects of heavy metals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite corrosion inhibition systems combining organic amines with phosphoric acid and metal oxides/hydroxides. This composite approach creates synergistic effects where the organic amine forms the primary protective film, while phosphoric acid and metal compounds enhance the protective layer's adhesion and corrosion resistance, achieving effective protection without toxic heavy metals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If heavy metal-based corrosion inhibitors are used, then corrosion damage is reduced, but environmental damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion damage reductionVSAvoidenvironmental damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes heavy metal elements (zinc, chromates, molybdate, nitrites) from the corrosion inhibition system. By taking out these toxic components and replacing them with organic amine-based compounds, the system maintains corrosion protection functionality while eliminating the environmental damage associated with heavy metal discharge into water systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adopts biodegradable organic amine compounds that can be safely disposed of or degraded in the environment, replacing persistent heavy metal compounds. These organic compounds serve their protective function and then break down naturally, avoiding long-term environmental accumulation and harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If non-toxic alternatives to heavy metals are used, then environmental impact is minimized, but corrosion inhibition effectiveness must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidcorrosion inhibition effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses phosphoric acid and metal oxides/hydroxides as intermediary substances that facilitate the action of organic amines. These intermediaries help the organic amine compounds form stable, adherent protective films on metal surfaces, ensuring that non-toxic alternatives achieve corrosion inhibition effectiveness comparable to or exceeding traditional heavy metal-based inhibitors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively inhibits corrosion on metal surfaces and in cooling systems, reducing the need for toxic heavy metals and minimizing environmental impact, while maintaining the protective properties of traditional inhibitors.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the metal surface with a mixture including, typically, an organic amine, a phosphoric acid and/or an inorganic phosphate and a metal oxide and/or a metal hydroxide, wherein a layer comprising said corrosion inhibitor is formed on the metal surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reactions: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8845930B2Methods of preventing corrosion
Publication Date: 2014.09.30 PIGMENTAN

AI summary

The invention provides a method for pre-treating a metal surface with a corrosion inhibitor prior to painting, a method for inhibiting corrosion in a cooling system, wherein the cooling system includes a metal surface and a coolant; and a method for inhibiting corrosion of a reinforcement steel in concrete wherein the method comprising the step of adding to a concrete mixture an anti-corrosive mixture.