Corrosion Protection via Novel Hydrophobic Powder Coating

Resodyn Corporation proposes a super-hydrophobic coating solution mimicking the Lotus leaf effect for corrosion protection of US Air Force support equipment exposed to highly corrosive environment while residing in the Southwest Asia. It is expected that highly hydrophobic coatings will enhance corrosion protection of the equipment by improving moisture barrier properties and preventing corrosive soils from fusing to surface of the AF support equipment. The total coating solution includes: (i) production of hydrophobic composite powder based on polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nano-technology; (ii) Resodyn Corporation's proprietary powder coating technology; and (iii) know-how for applying dense and adherent VOC-free coatings with thicknesses anywhere between 100 microns to 5 mm. Ultra-hydrophobic coatings were produced using micro- and nano-structured surface topologies combined with low energy surface chemistry. Preliminary results indicated that the proposed coating material based on functionalized copolymer matrix alloyed with POSS molecules can exhibit super-hydrophobic properties including a water contact angle of up to 150 degrees and self cleaning characteristics.