2, 4-Hexadienoic acid, its alkali salts and/or derivatives for preventing oxidative corrosion of metals

Abstract

Compositions and methods are disclosed for preventing the oxidative corrosion of metal surfaces by exposing a metal surface to an anti-corrosion agent characterized as 2,4-trans, trans-hexadienoic acid (2,4-HDA), its alkali salt identified as potassium sorbate (KHDA), or other derivatives that conserve or embody the 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene-type moiety present in their molecular structures as an active anti-corrosion agent (ACA), in combination with a material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over the metal surface. The compositions and methods of the invention provide a practical, non-toxic way of ensuring anti-corrosion protection for metals, or devices containing exposed metals, stored or operated in water or in the presence of water vapor. Exemplary, non-exhaustive uses of the invention include employing the composition as a lubricant for the surface of a metal or as a pump oil or brake fluid; using the composition as an undercoating for painting, electro-plating or electro-polishing procedures; and providing a protective coating for any metal or metal-containing machine or device, from automotive assembly plant metal press machines to electronic circuit boards.

1 . A method for preventing oxidative corrosion of a metal, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a metal or a device containing a metal wherein said metal is susceptible to oxidative corrosion;    providing an anti-corrosion composition, said composition comprising an effective amount of an anti-corrosion agent, said agent comprising a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety, said composition further comprising a material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over a surface of said metal; and    applying said composition to a surface of said metal, wherein said composition forms an anti-corrosive, moisture retentive barrier over said surface.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety is in the form of a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadienoic anion.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said providing and applying steps comprise the steps of: 
 providing an anti-corrosion solution, said solution comprising an effective amount of an anti-corrosion agent in a polar solvent, said agent comprising a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety;    applying said solution to a surface of said metal; and    subsequently applying a moisture retentive barrier over said surface.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said providing step, said anti-corrosion agent and said material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over a surface of said metal are both provided in powdered form to produce said composition.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said providing step, said anti-corrosion agent and said material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over a surface of said metal are both provided in powdered form to produce a powdered composition; and wherein in said applying step, said powdered composition is applied to a surface of said metal by powder metallurgy processing.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over a surface of said metal is selected from the group consisting of a polar liquid, a non-polar liquid, a viscous material, an organic liquid, a polymeric material and a petroleum-based substance.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition further comprises any one of a polar liquid, a non-polar liquid, a surfactant, an antioxidant, an organic liquid, a polymeric material, a petroleum-based substance, a buffering material, or graphite or particulate carbon in a suspension.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is packaged for delayed release.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is encapsulated.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in said composition, said anti-corrosion agent is present at a concentration of between 0.2 and 58 percent by weight.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition is first prepared in concentrated form and then diluted.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , said method further comprising, following said applying step, the step of applying a further coating layer over said surface.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said further coating layer is applied by a process selected from the group consisting of painting, electro-plating and electro-polishing.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying step comprises using said composition as a lubricant for a surface of said metal.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said applying step comprises using said composition as a pump oil or brake fluid.  
     
     
         16 . A method for preventing oxidative corrosion of a metal, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a metal or a device containing a metal wherein said metal is susceptible to oxidative corrosion;    providing an anti-corrosion solution, said solution comprising an effective amount of an anti-corrosion agent dissolved in a polar solvent, said agent comprising a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety; and    continuously immersing said metal or said device in said solution.    
     
     
         17 . A method for preventing oxidative degradation of a substance, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an anti-corrosion composition, said composition comprising an effective amount of an anti-corrosion agent, said agent comprising a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety, said composition further comprising a material capable of acting in conjunction with said anti-corrosion agent to prevent said oxidative degradation; and    mixing said composition with a preparation of said substance.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said substance is a grain product.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said substance is a plastic material.  
     
     
         20 . A composition for preventing oxidative corrosion of a metal, said composition comprising: 
 an effective amount of an anti-corrosion agent, said agent comprising a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety; and    a material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over a surface of said metal.    
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety is in the form of a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadienoic anion.  
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent and said material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over a surface of said metal are both provided in powdered form to produce said composition.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said composition is powdered in final form and is capable of being applied to a surface of said metal by powder metallurgy processing.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said composition is liquid or viscous in final form.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over a surface of said metal is selected from the group consisting of a polar liquid, a non-polar liquid, a viscous material, an organic liquid, a polymeric material and a petroleum-based substance.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 20 , further comprising any one of a polar liquid, a non-polar liquid, a surfactant, an antioxidant, an organic liquid, a polymeric material, a petroleum-based substance, a buffering material, or graphite or particulate carbon in a suspension.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is packaged for delayed release.  
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is encapsulated.  
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is present at a concentration of between 0.2 and 58 percent by weight.  
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is present at a concentration of greater than 20 percent by weight.  
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said composition is in the form of a gel, a grease, an oil, a colloidal suspension or a foam.  
     
     
         32 . A composition for preventing oxidative degradation of a substance, said composition comprising: 
 an effective amount of an anti-corrosion agent, said agent comprising a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety; and    a material capable of acting in conjunction with said anti-corrosion agent to prevent said oxidative degradation, said material is selected from the group consisting of a polar liquid, a non-polar liquid, a viscous material, an organic liquid, a polymeric material and a petroleum-based substance.    
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said material capable of acting in conjunction with said anti-corrosion agent to prevent said oxidative degradation is a polymeric material.  
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein said polymeric material is a glycol.  
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 33 , wherein said polymeric material is a homo- or heteroglycan polymer.  
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein said homo- or heteroglycan polymer is a derivatized cellulose.  
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said derivatized cellulose is an hydroxyethylated or carboxymethylated starch or cellulose.  
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene moiety is in the form of a 2,4-trans, trans-hexadienoic anion.  
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 38 , wherein said 2,4-trans, trans-hexadienoic anion is sorbate.  
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 39 , wherein said composition further comprises potassium ion as a counter cation.  
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is present at a concentration of between 0.2 and 58 percent by weight.  
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said composition is first prepared in concentrated form and then diluted before use.  
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is packaged for delayed release.  
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein said anti-corrosion agent is encapsulated.  
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said composition further comprises any one of an alcohol, a glycol, an antioxidant or an antimicrobial material.  
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said composition is liquid or viscous in final form.  
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said composition is in the form of a gel, a grease, an oil, a colloidal suspension or a foam.  
     
     
         48 . A method for preventing oxidative degradation of a substance, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing the composition of  claim 32;  and    applying said composition to a preparation of said substance.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said applying step comprises mixing said composition with a preparation of said substance.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said substance is an agricultural product or a wood product.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said substance is a plastic material or a paper material.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said substance is a grain.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 48 , said method further comprising, following said applying step, the step of applying a further coating layer over said substance.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said applying step comprises using said composition as a lubricant for a surface of a substance.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said substance is a metal.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said applying step comprises using said composition as a pump oil or brake fluid.  
     
     
         57 . The composition of  claim 21 , wherein said 2,4-trans, trans-hexadienoic anion is sorbate.