Project Justification

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Estimated direct cost of metallic corrosion amounts annually to approximately 3% of GDP in Western countries, and the fight against it still remains a major technological challenge; powder coatings, with virtually 0% Volatile Organic Content, are currently the most environmentally friendly alternative.

In this context, the successful achievement of the project goals will result in substantial economic and environmental benefits derived from:

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• Increased corrosion protection and reduction of losses due to it;
• Reduction of the energy consumption associated with the current technology (at least a three coat process);
• Reduction of VOC  affecting air quality.

Furthermore, this project is undertaken by a public-private partnership, what ensures a rapid translation of research results into market, and aims at a sector much needed, in Spain, of innovation to boost its competitiveness.

Scientific approach

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The achievement of the project objective will be based on the use of:

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• Alkoxysilanes that promote adhesion to the bare substrate by creating covalent bonds, and that limit the possibility of penetration to the interface.
• Hyperbranched polymer resins that due to its degree of crystallinity lower tensions in the curing process, creating a much tougher material that increases the protection derived from the barrier effect.
• Lanthanide salts (corrosion inhibitors) encapsulated in nanocontainers formed by shales (of the families of montmorillonite, vermiculite and hydrotalcite) that will be released in a controlled way.