Polyoxometalate and Zirconium-Phosphate Conversion Coating for Steel Piping

In Sub-topic O3.04, NASA has identified a need for control of material degradation to extend the life and reduce the life-cycle costs of piping systems subject to microbial influenced corrosion in the presence of untreated or brackish water. The corrosion mechanisms of greatest interest are salt and acid attack due to exposure to brackish or untreated waters and bacteria, fungi, and archaea. International Scientific Technologies, Inc., in conjunction with Ferrum College, proposes the development of a protective barrier conversion coating to prevent corrosion cell formation in steel substrates. Phase I Technical Objectives include selection, characterization and fabrication of polyoxometalate building blocks to complement zirconium-phosphate conversion coating, polyoxometalate-zirconium phosphate conversion-coating system design, and measurement and test of individual and layered polyoxometalate conversion coatings for corrosion inhibition efficiency to salt and acid. The anticipated result of the Phase I and Phase II programs is the development of an environmentally friendly corrosion-resistant conversion coating that can be utilized on coated and un-coated ferrous materials.

The proposed polyoxometalate conversion coating will find application in reducing life-cycle costs of piping systems subject to microbial-influenced corrosion in the presence of untreated or brackish water. The environmentally friendly chrome-free conversion coating is expected to perform not only as a corrosion inhibitor to microbially induced corrosion, but also function as a smart coating that will passivate metal exposed in organic-coating topcoats and at defects in the conversion coating. The removal of toxic materials and reduction in operation and maintenance costs would be welcomed for control of material degradation in the nation's spaceport and propulsion test-facility infrastructure and ground and flight assets. Other areas supported by NASA, such as the Air Transportation & Safety, Structures and Waste Storage/Treatment, could also make use of the conversion-coating technology.

In the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 2001 report on corrosion costs in the United States it is estimated that Corrosion costs U.S. industry and government agencies an estimated $276 billion/year. Chrome-free environmentally friendly conversion coatings will find application in a variety of industrial sectors in reducing worker exposure to toxic materials and reduction of waste-treatment costs. The corrosion inhibition of ferrous metals will lead to decreased failures due to microbial corrosion in pipelines and in manufacturing and construction materials in highly corrosive salt and acid environments. It is expected that the coatings can be used in field applications for large structures at ambient temperatures rather than higher temperature alternatives that need to be applied in controlled environments.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.