Zirconium-Rare Earth Surface Treating Solution for Iron Corrosion Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surface treatment methods for iron materials lack a solution that provides excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion without using environmentally harmful ingredients, and are inefficient in treating complex shapes and iron-based materials.

Innovation Solution

A surface treatment solution containing zirconium fluoride, rare earth element ions, polyallylamine, aluminum ions, and free fluorine ions is used to deposit a coating on iron materials, promoting corrosion resistance and adhesion through a chemical reaction, while avoiding harmful components and improving production efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If zinc phosphate treatment is used to deposit a coating with excellent corrosion resistance on steel strip, then corrosion resistance is improved, but sludge generation occurs as a by-product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidsludge generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful zinc phosphate treatment process that generates sludge, replacing it with a chromium-free coating composition based on zirconium compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds. This substitution removes the source of sludge generation while maintaining the protective function of the coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating solution by using zirconium compounds instead of zinc phosphate, and controlling the concentration of nitrogen-containing compounds. This parameter change transforms the coating chemistry to avoid sludge-forming reactions while preserving corrosion protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If chromium-free coating composition is used to provide improved corrosion resistance and adhesion, then environmental harm is reduced, but treatment is limited to aluminum alloys only

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental harm from hexavalent chromiumVSAvoidrange of treatable materials
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal surface treatment solution that works on multiple metal types including steel strips, aluminum alloys, and other metals. The coating composition achieves this by using zirconium compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds that can form adherent coatings on diverse metal surfaces through chemical conversion, eliminating the need for material-specific treatment processes.

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

3Reliability

If coating is formed by applying coating composition and subsequently drying the article, then corrosion resistance is improved, but treatment of articles with complicated surface shape becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidtreatment of complicated surface shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical application and drying process with a chemical conversion process. The coating forms through chemical reactions between the zirconium compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, and the metal surface, allowing the coating solution to penetrate and adhere to complex geometries without relying on gravity-driven application and evaporation.

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

4Reliability

If conventional surface treatment methods are used on iron materials, then coating deposition is achieved, but environmentally harmful ingredients are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating deposition on iron materialVSAvoidenvironmentally harmful ingredients
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the previously harmful zinc phosphate treatment into a beneficial chromium-free process. By using zirconium compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds, the treatment achieves effective coating deposition on iron materials while eliminating environmental harm, turning a polluting process into an eco-friendly one.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 forms a uniform, corrosion-resistant coating on iron materials, including complex shapes, with improved adhesion and resistance to acids and alkalis, enhancing the material's performance in corrosive environments.

Implementation Method 1

a coating having excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance after further coating is deposited by chemical conversion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical conversion: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

a coating having excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance after further coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS7575644B2Solution for treating metal surface, surface treating method, and surface treated material
Publication Date: 2009.08.18 NIHON PARKERIZING CO LTD

AI summary

A solution for treating a surface of an iron material includes (a) zirconium fluoride; (b) ion of a rare earth element and/or a compound containing a rare earth element; (c) a polyallylamine; (d) aluminum ion; and (e) free fluorine ion. Zirconium in the component (a) is at a weight concentration A of 10 to 1000 ppm. The ratio K of the weight concentration B of the rare earth element in the component (b) to the weight concentration A (B/A) is 0.1 to 30. The component (d) is at a weight concentration D of 50 to 250 ppm. The component (e) is at a weight concentration E of 0.5 to 30 ppm. A coating having excellent corrosion resistance before and after the subsequent coating can be deposited on the surface of an iron material by using the surface treating solution which does not contain environmentally harmful ingredients.