Grantee Research Project Results

Oceanit demonstrated that the coating provided superior adhesion and corrosion protection as compared to existing epoxy materials, despite being applied at a thickness of less than 100µm, with minimal surface preparation required, along with abrasion resistance either comparable to or superior to existing coatings (~50mg/1000cycles/1000g Taber Rotary Abrader).

Pipeline interiors coated via the in-situ pigging method showed excellent corrosion resistance, and imparted strong omniphobic (water and oil repellent properties) to the normally hydrophilic pipeline surfaces. Utilizing this pigging method, pipelines of almost any nominal diameter between 4 – 48” inches can be easily coated, and overall lengths exceeding 20 miles of spanned distance should be possible with Oceanit’s application partner.

The pipeline coating material showed no propensity to emit or leach volatile or semi-volatile organic compounds when used as a vessel liner. No regulated heavy metals such as copper or lead were similarly found to be contained within the coating material, whether cured or even in the uncured state, suggesting the material is safe to use and handle. The extremely long pot life (48+ hours), combined with a very short time required to cure in between coatings (30-45 min), leads to a material which has extreme ease of use for application and cleanup, even on significantly rusted and oxidized surfaces.

Oceanit also determined that when properly applied, the coating will function as a complete chemical barrier, preventing the flow of electrons during corrosion, as well as the diffusion and leaching of cytotoxic chemicals from the substrate. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that even when partially damaged, the presence of the coating significantly reduces the overall corrosion potential of the substrate. Using the standard MTT mitochondrial activity array cell growth and survival showed a near 70% drop after exposure to a cytotoxic substrate (such as glass impregnated with Lysol or cavicide). By comparison, cells exposed to cytotoxic substrates coated with DragXTM showed no change in cellular behavior from a standard non-cytotoxic substrate.

In this Phase I project, Oceanit demonstrated that its omniphobic, in-situ applicable coating imparted corrosion resistance, water repellency and acted as a barrier against potential cytotoxic product leaching. Additionally, the coating proved to be extremely strong and abrasion resistant, even though the coating was applied onto very minimally prepared substrates, and was applied at an extremely thin thickness. Finally, initial toxic component analyte screening showed no significant levels of either VOC, SVOC or lead/copper leaching. As such, the DragXTM coating has demonstrated technical feasibility on a proof-of-concept pilot field application, and is well positioned to attract a commercial partner as part of its phase II effort, as it pursues official certification for potable water transport.