Self-Healing Oxides Protect Against Corrosion

Apr-09-18 A liquid-like aluminum oxide coating self-heals to protect metals from corrosion.

Most metals will oxidize when exposed to air and water, causing discoloration and weakening the material. Investigating ways to help reduce this damage, the team from MIT discovered that extremely thin layers of aluminum oxide will behave like a liquid, with the oxide layer flowing over the aluminum layer to keep oxygen from entering.

The team believes the coating, which is also very effective at resisting tiny molecules like hydrogen gas, could be used in high-stress environments such as nuclear reactors and fuel cells.

More Info about this Invention:

[NEWATLAS.COM]
[NEWS.MIT.EDU]

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