Patent ID: 6376022
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: C23C,Y02T

Abstract:
A method comprising:contacting a surface comprising metal with a coating composition comprising a polymerizable hydrated silicate powder comprising alkali metal ions, a forming agent comprising polyvalent metal ions, and an amount and form of moisture effective to promote ion exchange between said polyvalent metal ions and said alkali metal ions, producing a coated surface; maintaining said coated surface in a closed environment at a first temperature for a first period of time; and heating said coated surface to a second temperature for a second period of time; said first and second temperature and said first and second period of time comprising first curing conditions effective to initiate polymerization of said silicate powder and to promote said ion exchange, producing an intermediate coating composition comprising bound water molecules, said first curing conditions being effective to maintain a sufficient amount of said moisture in said coating composition to promote said ion exchange while under said first curing conditions; and imparting sufficient energy to said intermediate coating composition at a rate and under second curing conditions effective to drive said bound water molecules from said intermediate coating composition and to produce a durable, adhesive protective coating.