Flash rust inhibitors

Metals substrates when expose to water and air (oxygen) can corrode.  There are many ways to prevent metal corrosion, and one of them is applying onto the metal surface a protective coating normally loaded with anticorrosive inhibitors.  Therefore the effectiveness of the anticorrosive coating not only depends on the mechanical properties of the coating itself, but also the anticorrosive inhibitors embedded in the coating.  Corrosion inhibitors generally fall into two categories - Anticorrosive Pigments and Liquid Flash Rust Inhibitors.  Anticorrosive pigments are mainly for protection after the coating is cured, and the flash rust inhibitors are mainly for prevention of corrosion (often in the form of rust stain) during the drying process of the wet paint. 

All metals when expose to oxygen, rapidly form a passivation layer of metal oxide to protect the metal from further corrosion.  In the case of iron, the passivation layer consists of ferric oxide, or rust which can migrate onto, and stain the coating film – or called “flash rust” as it can happen very quickly. Flash inhibitors function to prevent the formation of the passivation metal oxide layer, by inhibiting the electrochemical reaction, or stopping the oxidation process.  Flash rust inhibitors are particularly needed for any wet stage waterborne coating in contact with iron surfaces intentionally (for example applying on a mild steel surface) or unintentionally (for example, applying onto a dry board with mild steel nail head, or inside a can with defected layer of can coating). 

We supply to the coating industry two types of flash rust inhibitors, a standard product with nitrite, and a nitrite free product.  These products have both vapor and solution phase rush protection, and are effective at very low level.  They are compatible with most waterborne coatings.   Click below to check out our products.