Universal primer with anticorrosive properties for all types of metals and plastic materials
WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE?Surface pre-treatment of materials, prior to application of coating, is of major importance to get improved adhesion between coating and surface. For metals, inhibition of corrosion will contribute to a prolonged lifetime of both coating and material. Today, different metals and polymeric materials must be pretreated using different processes and chemicals depending on the chemistry of the material to be coated.There are three main types of pre-treatment methods used for metals. These are zinc-phosphate, chromate and different kinds of corrosion protective primers. All these methods are under phasing-out pressure due to health and environmental reasons.
There are several different pre-treatment methods for polymeric materials such as flame, corona, plasma and laser treatment, chemical treatment or adhesion promoting paints. The methods are either costly demanding or showing a negative environmental impact.
HOW CAN THE PROJECT CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION?
The goal of the project is to develop a universal surface treatment that is based on mussel adhesive protein (MAP). The product must in an ecologically acceptable way, improve the adhesion between the surface and the paint as well as protect metals from corrosion.
The product will be water-based, user-friendly and non-toxic and will not result in toxic waste as the existing surface treatment processes. The project are divided into three subprojects; industrialization of an eco-friendly production process, development and adaptation of the primer to meet the demands of today’s surface treatment industry as well as fundamental research of the surface chemical and corrosion protective properties of the primer. The eco-friendly mussel primer will be a competitive alternative to existing surface treatment systems, which result in negative environmental impact and in some cases serious health problems. This will substantially decrease the environmental impact for many industries.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESULTS?
An increasing number of different materials are used in industry, e.g. mild steel, stainless steel, zinc plated steel, aluminium, magnesium and different polymeric materials. Consequently, many products are made of mixed materials. An important reason for this is the demand for increased property to weight ratio, especially in the automotive industry. A universal surface treatment that can be used for both plastic materials and metals will result in obvious practical benefits since products made of mixed materials can be surface treated in one step.
The mussel primer will be an eco-friendly and user-friendly alternative to surface treatment technologies, which result in negative environmental impact, especially when it comes to treatments for metals. The metal surface treatment involves the use of chromates and phosphates. The disposal of these chemicals generates contaminated wastewaters and sludge, which if not treated properly, pose considerable environmental and health hazards. By changing to an ecofriendly alternative, the surface treatment industry will lower the environmental costs as well as substantially decrease its negative environmental impact.
