Steely Glaze: Layered electrolytes control corrosion

Metals may someday rely on gossamer guardians. Ultrathin organic coatings offer a new way to slow the corrosion of steel, recent experiments suggest.

Salt and moisture catalyze corrosive reactions of oxygen with metals.

Microscopic defects on metal surfaces create sites where salt ions carry electric currents and trigger these oxidizing reactions.

Traditional anticorrosion coatings such as paints and resins work by keeping salt and metal physically separated.