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Tesla and PolyOne Partner with Unidym for Superior Coatings PolyOne, a leading global supplier of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, is partnering with Tesla NanoCoatings Limited to create innovative corrosion control additives for maintenance coatings. Teslan™ coatings use the unique qualities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to dramatically improve anticorrosion coatings compared to products currently being used. Unidym is the key partner in supplying high quality CNTs for use in Teslan™. "We're very pleased with the superior performance we're seeing from the CNTs from Unidym," says Todd Hawkins, Managing Director of Tesla. "We look forward to a long partnership with Unidym." The Teslan™ coatings use a cathodic protection mechanism in which the CNTs transfer electrons between the sacrificial metal and the protected metal. Compared to zinc-rich systems, CNT-based coatings offer easier application and better corrosion protection. They are more environmentally tolerant than inherently conductive polymer (ICP) systems. This illustration shows how the Teslan™ coating creates a passive galvanic cell that protects the substrate.  Compared to a traditional zinc-rich coating, CNT coatings allow a 50% reduction in metal content with the same protection performance. Improved application and wear resistance means fewer coats are required along with reduced surface prep requirements. The following photos compare a Zinc Phosphate coating to the Teslan coating in a salt fog exposure test.  Teslan™ — Corrosion Control Additive For Maintenance Coatings Key Benefits: There are several key benefits to Teslan as a maintenance coating for corrosion control. Lower levels of zinc/heavy metal make it user friendly. It is easier to apply because it's sprayable. It's easier to handle because it weighs much less. Finally, it's easier to formulate significantly higher solids coatings. The cost per gallon is competitive with zinc rich systems because Teslan reformulates at lower zinc levels. Because of Teslan's improved integrity as a barrier film, it significantly outperforms zinc rich coatings in corrosion resistance: scribe and field, as well as improved durability under stress: impact, abrasion, flexing. Teslan also has reduced preparation costs and often requires fewer coats. Carbon nanotubes are superior to inherently conductive polymers (ICP) because they are more resistant to heat and UV and are chemically inert and therefore easier to formulate. Finally, Teslan's easier ability to pigment makes for better colors and glosses. Carbon nanotube-based coatings will increasingly be used wherever better performance is needed, such as:
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