IRUCOAT

Transparent, hybrid ceramic-epoxy coating for metal and metal alloy protection. It is composed of 46% SiOx, 8% ZrOx, and 46% organic epoxy. The material forms a ceramic-organic interconnected network at the molecular level, providing a dense material that is deposited as a coating for protection against corrosion. The material preparation consists of a three-step procedure: chemical synthesis, coating deposition, and thermal treatment. Chemical synthesis is based on the formation of a stable and homogeneous sol by the admixing, stirring, and heating of several liquid precursors. Coating or deposition onto a substrate can be performed by dip coating at a controlled withdrawal rate and spray coating with a gun. Thermal treatment can be performed in a standard industrial oven. The material is available as a liquid or as a coating on a substrate. The thickness of the deposited coating is in the range of 1 to 5 microns (0.039 mil–0.19 mil). It is possible to customize the color and composition of the material depending on the desired requirements. Additives can be added to the matrix to provide abrasion resistance and increased hardness. The coating is certified as per ASTM B-117 onto AA2024, AA7075 Al Alloys for no corrosion signs after 168 hours, ASTM B-117 onto AA6061 Al alloy for no corrosion sign after 336 hours, and ASTM B-117 onto galvanized steel for which zinc corrosion is delayed from 24 hours to 1200 hours and steel corrosion is delayed from 500 hours to 1850 hours. Applications include automotive, marine, aerospace, and industrial sectors for corrosion protection and aesthetic finishing of aluminum and magnesium alloys, and galvanized steel.