| Sep 09, 2025 |
Superhydrophobic recycled tire coating shields steel from marine corrosionResearchers developed a superhydrophobic coating from recycled tires that resists wear and protects steel from rust in tough marine environments while recycling waste rubber.(Nanowerk News) A team of scientists in China has created a tough new coating that resists rust in harsh marine environments—using recycled tire rubber as a key ingredient. |
| Superhydrophobic materials, which repel water thanks to their tiny contact area and low surface energy, have long been studied as a way to fight corrosion. But most versions break down under stress or fail to provide lasting protection. |
| Researchers led by Prof. Zhang Binbin at the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, tackled this problem by designing a composite coating reinforced with particles from discarded tires. The tire rubber forms an armored skeleton that makes the coating both durable and protective. Their work appears in Chemical Engineering Journal ("Rubber running track inspired ultra-robust superhydrophobic coating armored with recycled tire rubber (RTR) particles for sustained corrosion resistance"). |
 |
| Graphical abstract of the development of highly robust superhydrophobic anti-corrosion coating using recycled tire rubber particles. (Image: IOCAS) (click on image to enlarge) |
| The idea took inspiration from the layered, weatherproof surfaces of running tracks, which use rubber for strength, cushioning, and wear resistance. At the same time, the researchers wanted to turn a recycling challenge—mountains of waste tires—into a resource. |
| Tests showed the coating could withstand 1,200 cycles of sandpaper abrasion, 450 rounds of tape-peeling, and impacts from over a kilogram of sand without losing its water-repelling power. |
| Electrochemical analysis revealed dramatic improvements in corrosion resistance: steel samples coated with the material showed a million-fold increase in resistance to corrosion currents. Even after 840 hours in saltwater and nearly 1,700 hours in marine air, the coating showed no signs of failure. |
| According to the team, this approach not only extends the life of steel in demanding conditions but also offers a sustainable way to recycle tire waste into valuable protective materials. |
| Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences (Note: Content may be edited for style and length) |
