[TheForge] New hope for Outdoor Ironwork

[Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer]

We want some of both please Rob..pf

Rob Fertner wrote:
> New polymer coatings prevent corrosion
> by Staff Writers
> Champaign, Ill. (UPI) Dec 17, 2008 
> U.S. scientists say they are developing new polymer coatings that will not
> only protect materials, but also help tiny scratches "heal" themselves. 
> University of Illinois researchers said applications for the coatings range
> from automotive paints and marine varnishes to the thick, rubbery coatings
> on patio furniture and park benches. 
> "Starting from our earlier work on self-healing materials Â… we have now
> created self-healing coatings that automatically repair themselves and
> prevent corrosion of the underlying substrate," said Professor Paul Braun,
> corresponding author of the study. 
> The scientists said they first encapsulate a catalyst into spheres less than
> 100 microns in diameter -- a micron is 1 millionth of a meter. They also
> encapsulate a healing agent into similarly sized microcapsules. The
> microcapsules are then dispersed within the desired coating material and
> applied to the substrate. 
> "By encapsulating both the catalyst and the healing agent, we have created a
> dual capsule system that can be added to virtually any liquid coating
> material," said Braun. When the coating is scratched, some capsules break,
> spilling their contents into the damaged region. The catalyst and healing
> agent react, repairing the damage within minutes or hours, depending upon
> environmental conditions. 
> A paper detailing the research has been accepted for publication in the
> journal Advanced Materials.
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
>