Researchers from two institutes of the Łukasiewicz Research Network – the Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics (IMiF) and the Institute of Precision Mechanics (IMP), as well as from the Institute of Optoelectronics of the Military University of Technology (WAT) are co-authors of an anticorrosive water-based varnish with graphene oxide G-Flake, which has just been patented.

The innovative varnish can be used to protect the steel structures of buildings, the inner surfaces of ships or electric motors.

“The problem of corrosion has a huge economic and environmental impact on virtually all areas of the world’s infrastructure”, states the Łukasiewicz Research Network – IMIF.

The annual cost of the effects of corrosion worldwide is estimated at USD 2.5 trillion, which translates into 3-4% of the GDP of industrialised countries.

“Varnish is a base coat on metal surfaces, particularly those made of steel. It can be used, for example, to protect the steel structure of buildings, but also on the interior surfaces of ships or in electric motors. Thus, the area of application of the innovative graphene varnish is very wide – from construction, automotive, aviation, space technology, oil and gas industry, to the area of renewable energy”, emphasises Małgorzata Djas, one of the creators of the patent from Łukasiewicz – IMiF.

The annual market for corrosion protection coatings is worth USD 12 billion worldwide (Mordor Intelligence data), with functional coatings accounting for around 20 per cent of the paint market. “In this context, the innovative G-Flake (graphene flake) paint (produced at the Polish institute) has a key and groundbreaking impact on the development of the industry. In addition, it does not contain volatile organic solvents, so it is non-flammable and environmentally friendly”, says the Łukasiewicz – IMIF analysis.

Adrian Andrzejewski