Quality Heat Technologies (Australia) SRI International (USA) and Gas Technology Institute (USA) collaborate to introduce new surface engineering treatments for dramatically improving the corrosion resistance of ferrous materials.

Melbourne Australia - January 21^st 2002

Quality Heat Technologies, a world leader in fluidised bed reactor technology, today announced that it has developed a new suite of industrial equipment under the brand name of Qab, for application of surface engineering treatments to dramatically improve the corrosion resistance of metals.

The Qab equipment combines QHT’s patented technologies in fluidised bed reactor design and the proprietary coating chemistry developed by SRI and GTI.

The combination of the chemistry and fluidised bed technology, which is based on diffusion of metallic elements such as chromium into the base metal, opens up a completely new field of surface engineering treatments for the metal user over a broad spectrum of applications.

One of the processes under Qab is Qchrome, which significantly improves the corrosion resistance of low-grade stainless steels in high temperature applications and expands the limits at which stainless steels can operate in corrosive environments.

Another process, Qsil, significantly improves the corrosion resistance of low grade carbon and alloy steels and has potential to replace coatings which are currently in use, and at the same time satisfy the most stringent environmental regulations.

Corrosion of metallic materials and their replacement costs account for approximately 4% GDP of industrialised countries. Any process that can decrease the rate of corrosion will significantly contribute to savings in a wide variety of applications and industries.

About Quality Heat Technologies

Quality Heat Technologies Pty Ltd (QHT) Australia, (www.qualityheat.com.au) is an acknowledged world leader in the design of fluidised bed reactors for metal processing. Established in 1989, QHT has developed equipment for the heat and surface treatment of metals, as well as developing new processes in the fields of carburising and nitriding. Equipment supplied varies from simple laboratory models to large automated plants operating unattended under computer control. QHT equipment is currently operating in 15 countries worldwide.

About SRI International

Silicon Valley based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world’s leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded in 1946 as Stanford Research Institute, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of global markets for more than 55 years. As a part of its strategy to bring its technologies to the marketplace, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.

About Gas Technology Institute

Gas Technology Institute (GTI) (www.gastechnology.com) is based in the Chicago area and is an independent not-for-profit technology organization that provides products, programs, information and services related to energy and the environment, with a focus on production, delivery, use and environmental aspects of natural gas.

About Qchrome

Suggested applications of Qchrome include advanced chillers, modulating heat exchangers with condensation, furnace and boiler tubes and other potential applications for pharmaceutical, food processing and oil & gas industry. A sample has been tested in an actual performance setting where a coated tube was welded to an AL6XN^Ò bracket and immersed in a high temperature (230^oC) molten salt solution. The sample was left in the solution for 3,000 hours. When the evaluation was completed, the coated sample had no discernable corrosion whatsoever, even within an intentional crevice where the AL6XN^Ò bracket was welded. The bracket was slightly discoloured; the coated tube exhibited no noticeable discolouration. Similar results obtained for AL29-4C.
	Coated 409 stainless tube welded to AL6XN^Ò bracket experimental sample after experiment.

Representative Comparison of

Corrosion Rates

Material	Corrosion Rate (mpy)
409 Stainless Steel	Above sample. No corrosion near intentional crevice. Notice discolouration of AL6XN^Ò 94
AL6XN^Ò	2.4
Qchrome409	0.01

For further information contact:-

Ray Reynoldson

Quality Heat Technologies Pty Ltd

34 Gilbert Park Drive

Knoxfield Vic 3180

Phone 61 3 9759 9100

Fax 61 3 9764 8211

Left to right: 409 stainless tube, diffusion coated tube, post-experiment coated tubes.

Email rreynoldson@qualityheat.com.au