U.S. FIRM DEVELOPS SELF ASSEMBLING PHOSPHONATES TO REPLACE CHROMIUM 6 COATINGS

ChemWeek | September 8, 2009 | Alex Scott

Aculon (San Diego, CA), a producer of specialty chemicals, says it has developed a proprietary formulation that generates a self assembled monolayer of phosphonates (SAMP). The formulation may be used in a range of primers and conversion coatings to increase the adhesion of coatings to surfaces. SAMP replaces the use of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6)-a toxic substance-in many applications, the company says.

Cr+6 is a known human carcinogen and can cause kidney and liver damage, nasal, skin and stomach irritations, and convulsions. Exposure to high levels of Cr+6 can even lead to death. Until now, the law had a temporary exemption for uses where there was “no feasible alternative” (California Health & Saf. Code, §25214.14(d)). Aculon’s SAMP is that alternative, the company says.

The use of SAMP in lieu of toxic substances enables manufacturers to adhere to the strictest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Union (EU) regulations, the company says.

“Our SAMP technology has proven adhesion properties and we’ve worked to develop this new formulation to address the needs of manufacturers in complying to strict EPA regulations on the use of heavy metals,” says Edward Hughes, Aculon’s CEO. “Where paint and other spray on applications do not adhere to the advanced materials used, many manufacturers turn to hexavalent chromium to prime the surface, which is a horribly toxic metal and industrial process. We have now formulated that ‘feasible alternative’ the EPA requires.”

Founded in 2004, Aculon specializes in inventing and commercializing unique molecular-scale surface and interfacial coatings leveraging nanotechnology discoveries made at Princeton University.