CSIRO are developing oxide coated materials to prevent corrosion and ultimately, rust proof the future’s metals.
February 2012
Corrosion is an every-day problem that shortens the life of machinery, buildings, cars and infrastructure. CSIRO have engaged with MCN to develop oxide coated materials to prevent corrosion and ultimately, rust proof the future’s metals. The project looks at measuring surface charge of coated material for anti-corrosion.
The High Throughput Inorganic Coatings research team at CSIRO has been developing novel two, three and four layered coatings of various metal oxide compounds. These oxide formulations have been deposited from positions to yield unique combinations of layered gradient coatings. The coatings are being developed for use in sensing and in anti-corrosion structural protection. Of particular importance in developing anti-corrosion oxides is measuring the surface charge of the coating versus pH; the Surpass Zeta Potential analyzer at the MCN was utilised to achieve this. The investigation showed the surface charge is strongly dependent on the coating thickness, allowing the researchers to tune the thickness to obtain zero charge on the surface in elimination of corrosion.
