New Anti-Corrosion Paint Pigments Unveiled By BP

Scientists at BP's Research Centre at Sunbury-on-Thames, England, have succeeded in developing a family of new anti-corrosion pigments. These pigments, which have been widely patented, are based on the ion-exchange principle—a radical departure from existing technology.

Almost all metal fabrications such as offshore installations and bridges need to be protected from atmospheric corrosion by overcoating with anti-corrosion paints.

Existing anti-corrosion paints generally contain corrosion inhibitors such as highly toxic lead or chromate compounds.

In contrast, the BP pigments have low or nil toxicity, and when formulated into paint primers outperform currently available products containing zinc phosphate, zinc chromate, red lead, etc., for similar costs. The BP pigments function by the principle of ion exchange.

Aggressive ions, such as chloride, permeating the paint film are preferentially ion-exchanged with the solid pigment particles, releasing the active anti-corrosion agents that then protect the metal surface. As the anti-corrosive agents are released only when required, the BP system is said to last longer than traditional paints.

The low toxicity and improved performance of the BP pigments has already aroused considerable interest among paint manufacturers.

BP will be launching these new materials through BP Ventures in the first half of 1984.

For further information on BP's new pigments, Circle 19 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 89, Apr 1984

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.