Recycled Tyre-Modified Epoxy Coating for Steel Corrosion and Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

High tensile strength steel components in vehicle suspension systems are susceptible to corrosion and impact damage due to their hardness and exposure to corrosive environments, requiring effective protective coatings that also provide flexibility and cost-efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A coating system comprising a zinc-rich epoxy primer layer and a top coat composition with particles of recycled vehicle tires, where the particles have an average size of 10 to 70 µm, offering corrosion and chip resistance without the need for thermoplastic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If high tensile strength steel springs are used to reduce mass, then weight is reduced, but corrosion resistance and impact resistance deteriorate due to increased hardness and susceptibility to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of suspension springsVSAvoidcorrosion resistance and impact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining zinc-rich epoxy primer with elastomer-modified epoxy thermosetting resin top coat. This composite coating system provides both corrosion protection (from zinc-rich primer) and impact/flexibility resistance (from elastomer-modified top coat), thereby protecting the high tensile strength steel springs while maintaining their weight reduction benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If elastomer-modified epoxy thermosetting resin is used as top coat, then flexibility and impact resistance are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and impact resistanceVSAvoidcoating system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the elastomer modification from conventional thermoplastic top coats and applies it specifically to the epoxy thermosetting resin layer. This allows the coating system to achieve flexibility and impact resistance through the elastomer-modified epoxy layer alone, eliminating the need for additional thermoplastic layers and simplifying the overall coating structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If thermoplastic top coat is used with epoxy primer, then chip resistance is improved, but cost and environmental friendliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechip resistanceVSAvoidcost efficiency and environmental friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the top coat from thermoplastic to elastomer-modified epoxy thermosetting resin. This parameter change maintains chip resistance while eliminating the need for thermoplastic materials, thereby reducing costs and improving environmental friendliness through better resource utilization and reduced waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system provides enhanced corrosion and impact resistance, flexibility at low temperatures, and cost-effectiveness, suitable for high tensile steel substrates, ensuring durability and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

a primer layer composition comprising: (a) at least one epoxy resin; and (b) zinc particles wherein the zinc particles are present in an amount of 40 to 95 wt% relative to the total weight of the primer layer composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanic corrosion resistance:

Implementation Method 2

epoxy coatings are used mainly as part of an anti-corrosive coating system on steel substrates due to their outstanding corrosion and chemical resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

a top coat composition which is a coating composition comprising: a) at least one epoxy resin; and b) 8 to 40 wt% relative to the total weight of the top coat composition of particles of recycled vehicle tyres

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3519507B1coating
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 JOTUN AS

AI summary

The invention provides a coating composition suitable for application to a metallic substrate comprising a) at least one epoxy resin; and b) 8 to 40 wt% of particles of recycled vehicle tyres having an average particle size diameter of 10 to 70μm.