Gradient-responsive corrosion-resistant coatings

Abstract

This disclosure provides corrosion-resistant coatings that significantly improve corrosion resistance compared to the prior art. The corrosion protection system senses gradients in electrical potential, pH, and metal ion concentration, and then automatically halts corrosion. Some variations provide a gradient-responsive corrosion-resistant coating comprising: a first layer comprising a transition metal oxide and mobile cations; a second layer comprising a biphasic polymer, wherein the biphasic polymer contains ionic groups, wherein the biphasic polymer comprises a discrete phase and a continuous transport phase, wherein the continuous transport phase is capable of delivering oligomers in response to corrosion byproducts, and wherein the oligomers are ionically crosslinkable with metal cations from a base metal substrate. Other variations provide a corrosion protection system comprising: a base metallic layer; a metal oxide layer comprising a transition metal oxide and mobile cations; a polymer layer comprising a biphasic polymer; and a sealing layer disposed on the polymer layer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.