This project is part of the Research Council Norway’s (RCN) program Nano2021, and the overall objective is to develop low-cost zinc nanopowder slurry to produce coatings for the offshore and marine sector.
Zinc nano-powder must achieve low production cost to obtain commercial importance in high volume, and RMP is developing a new production process for metallic sub-micron and nanopowder that can significantly reduce the production cost, compared to existing methods. To limit critical health and safety issues with dust, the product is a slurry.
Key activities
- Develop manufacturing process of zinc nano-slurry through modeling of fluid dynamics and optimization of process design. Optimization of process parameters
- Study of zinc nano-slurry properties and behaviour in coating formulations
- Study of cured coatings by electrochemical tests and accelerated aging tests. Study of anti fouling
- Improve understanding of several HSE aspects
Key milestones will be to
- Understand how to design and operate the nano zinc-slurry process to maintain a controllable process giving a consistent product
- Identify the fundamental properties of the slurry and understand how these can be utilized in coating formulations.
- Develop understanding of nano zinc behaviour and function in cured coatings.
- Establish “safety by design” approach to ensure safe production and use of zinc nano powder.
The collaboration between the powder manufacturer, coating industry, and research institutes is essential with respect to the commercialization of the production technology and application of new coatings. The following companies and research institutions are contributing to the success of the project;
Carboline – The Carboline Business Unit Norge – Offshore
Jotun – The Protective Coatings Business Unit
PPG Industries – The Protective and Marine Coatings Business Unit
SINTEF – The Material and Chemistry unit is the prime R&D contractor with involvement from five different sectors
National Institute of Occupational Health