Graphene nanocomposite coatings for protecting low-alloy steels from corrosion

facturing methods. Graphene nanocomposite coatings for protecting lowalloy steels from corrosion A ceramic engineer or scientist unfortunately must admit that there is an unwelcome member of the family among us—iron oxide, or rust. This unpleasant family member is disruptive at best. More often it is destructive, nearly impossible to control, and a consumer of resources that are devoted to it in an attempt to mitigate its impact or at least slow it down. Metal bars, wires, and sheets require protective coatings to prolong their use on exposure to service environments wherein they inevitably encounter corrodant species and conditions conducive to the initiation of rust formation. Society invests enormous amounts of time and financial resources to rust prevention, repair, and replacement. Indeed, the Department of Defense has a long history of fighting rust (Figure 1), and the Government Accountability Office estimates that today the United States military spends more than $20 billion per year in corrosion-related expenses. As the advanced manufacturing industry in the United States rejuvenates, sustainable processes and materials will be increasingly important.1,2 New materials will offer opportunities for new solutions to old problems. Graphene and carbon nanotubes represent a class of new materials with unique Figure 1. Army truck cab assemblies entering massive rust-proofing ovens. The sheet metal is treated with chemicals before applying finishing coats to prevent rust., circa 1945. c o v e r s t o r y bulletin