Researchers from the Advanced Engineering School of Microwave Electronics at RTU MIREA, together with employees of the Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have developed a polymer coating that changes the mechanism of scale formation, "Pervy Tekhnichesky" was informed by the university. If on brass salt deposits turn into a dense stone layer, then on the polymer coating, the scale becomes loose and easily removed.
In experiments, scientists compared two types of substrates: brass and brass with a polymer coating applied. The samples were placed in an accelerated scale formation unit with hard water. On brass, a dense monolithic layer tens of microns thick formed, almost entirely consisting of magnesium carbonate – a typical "stone" that is difficult to remove mechanically.
On the polymer coating, the result was different. The scale was a loose, discontinuous precipitate, and its chemical composition changed: in addition to magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide and its hydrated forms appeared. Such a layer is easily destroyed even with slight mechanical impact.
The authors of the study explained that on metal, scale turns into stone, which is very difficult to remove. The polymer coating changes the crystallization mechanism: the precipitate becomes loose, similar to powder. This allows extending the overhaul interval of equipment and reducing the cost of chemical reagents. By modifying the polymer composition, it is possible to influence which salts will crystallize on the surface – strong carbonate or loose hydroxide. This opens the way to creating "smart" anti-scale materials that adapt to specific operating conditions. A patent for the test setup has already been obtained.
The development protects heat exchange equipment at power plants and in industry without constant chemical flushing and downtime. Traditional methods of scale control – chemical water softening and acid flushing – are expensive, labor-intensive, and harmful to the environment. The new coating offers an alternative.