Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Sulfuric acid produced during the metabolization of hydrogen sulfide gas, as well as acetic acid producedx000D
during the break down of long chain fatty acids, can result in aggressive acidic environments within sewerx000D
pipes, holding tanks, and oil/grease interceptors. Costly polymer based acid-resistant coatings are oftenx000D
employed to protect the infrastructure, sometimes in combination with anti-microbial additives. A newx000D
approach involves magnesium-based coatings that react with sulfuric acid, forming insoluble precipitates tox000D
create a protective impermeable barrier. However, the micro-structure of the precipitates, their adhesion to thex000D
substrate, as well as their abrasion resistance, are poorly understood. This project will address these issuesx000D
through the micro characterization of the coating/substrate interface, as well as conducting pull-off adhesionx000D
and abrasion tests on coated samples after immersion in acid solutions at intervals of 30, 60, 90 and 120 days.x000D
The compatibility of the new coating system with antimicrobial metals will also be assessed throughx000D
inoculation experiments using a Thiobacillus species. Polished thin sections will be prepared in cross-sectionx000D
from the coating/subtrate interface to examine the microstructure using optical fluorescence and scanningx000D
electron microscopy, particularly with respect to porosity.