A New Surface Modification Process to Fabricate Corrosion-resistant Materials

Corrosion is a serious problem across manufacturing industries: Surface coating is widely used as an effective corrosion mitigator Lead, chromium, and cadmium are used but are being phased out due to toxicity Zinc, aluminum, titanium, and tantalum are commonly used for coating No data on corrosion mitigation abilities of Al coating!! INL's Solution: An entirely new plating bath All bromide melt Diffused surface aluminum forms a robust bonding via an inner metallic layer The inner metallic layer is a solid solution type (FeAl) and not intermetallic in nature IN SITU FORMED INNER (METALLIC) LAYER PROVED TO BE THE GAME CHANGER Proven Test Results: When exposed to a very high level of chloride concentration (5% NaCl in water): No stress corrosion cracking No hydrogen embrittlement Market Opportunity Corrosion Protection Applications Hardened aerospace components Aluminum alloy aerospace components Replacement of cadmium and chromium-based coatings Deteriorating structures in construction High strengh steels Auto parts Other industries (titanium, nickel, zirconium, etc.) INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available.