Formulated Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Bicarbonate/Carbonate (DDABC), a Multi-Metal Corrosion Inhibitor with Relevance to Commercial Surface Preparation and Coatings Technologies

A new water soluble quaternary ammonium compound, didecyldimethyl¬ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate (DDABC), has been evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor via standard electrochemical tests on a variety of commercially significant metals including steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc galvanized steel and shown to be highly effective. At the proper dilution, the inhibitor migrates to the metal/solution interface and forms a mono-molecular film on the anodic sites. Preliminary evaluations reported here indicate that DDABC and its phosphate and glycolate anion derivatives exhibit a remarkable ability to improve the corrosion performance of several commercially relevant coatings including latex, alkyd, and 2C-DTM urethane, and e-coat systems when used either as a pretreatment, sealing rinse, or formulated coatings additive. In some instances, DDABC provides corrosion performance enhancement in B117 salt spray tests of over 300% and creep improvements of 60-75%. Additional observations as an adhesion promoter, wetting agent and flash rust inhibitor are also reported.