New Coating Protects Aluminium Formwork at Lower Heat
The research-stage chemistry replaces high-heat curing to prevent corrosion in alkaline concrete environments.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Chemistry
Researchers have developed a Michael addition-cured high-solid coating system for aluminium alloy formwork, designed to resist the highly alkaline conditions found in fresh concrete. This research-stage technology aims to replace traditional coatings that require high-temperature curing.
Why it matters
Aluminium alloy formwork is susceptible to the harsh alkaline pore solutions of concrete, which reach pH levels of 12.5 to 13.5. By lowering the required curing temperatures, this system addresses the microcracks and high energy demands associated with conventional powder coatings.
The TMPTA-crosslinked coating exhibits a tensile strength of 41.5 MPa and an elongation at break of 23.6 %. It maintains a glass transition temperature of 43.8 °C and shows corrosion resistance values of 10⁸-10⁹ Ω·cm² after 48 hours of immersion.
The details
The system utilizes a Michael addition reaction, a process where a carbon nucleophile—a molecule that donates electron pairs—adds to an activated alkene. Researchers synthesized a β-ketoester-functionalised Michael donor from E51 epoxy resin through ring-opening with diethanolamine and subsequent acetoacetylation. They compared three Michael acceptors, identifying TMPTA as the optimal crosslinking agent to provide a protective barrier against alkaline concrete pore solutions.
Timeline
2026: The research study was published.
The Tech Race
The development represents a move to replace established high-heat powder coatings that typically require temperatures between 180 °C and 200 °C. It competes in the material science sector by prioritizing lower energy curing processes for industrial hardware protection.
Construction professionals and equipment manufacturers may eventually benefit from longer-lasting aluminium formwork that avoids the thermal stress of high-temperature coatings. The research remains in the lab phase, meaning current availability and commercial pricing are not yet established.
The takeaway
This research demonstrates that low-temperature curing via Michael addition is a viable path for protecting structural aluminium. Future developments to watch include pilot-scale trials to verify if the 41.5 MPa tensile strength holds up under extended field usage.
Further reading
For more on advancements in material protection, visit the Chemistry section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by European Coatings.
