Electronic Rust Prevention System (ERPS)
What the ERPS System can do
The ERPS system dramatically decreases the
rate of corrosion that occurs due to electrochemical processes.
It does this by capacitively inducing a negative charge
on the metal surface that helps make the metal more electrochemically
inert. The charge is spread and held by the dielectric
properties of the paint. Where the metal is uncovered
or poorly covered, what paint is in the vicinity helps
keep the charge on the metal surface. By placing a negative
charge on the surface, the positive metal ions that are
produced during corrosion are less likely to form and
the reaction is slowed. The system therefore helps eliminate
pitting, rust bubbles and other forms of cancerous corrosion
that result from electrochemical corrosion.
What the ERPS System
CANNOT do
It cannot return rusted components back to metal, the
amount of energy that is released in a rust reaction is
very large. While the system can help slow the rust reaction
considerably it cannot replace the large amount of energy
needed to restore the metal. This makes reversing the
reaction well beyond the capability of the system.
It Cannot Protect Large Areas of
Bare Metal
It is still important to keep paint on the metal, as
paint is required to keep the amount of charge large
enough to protect. Therefore it will not be of great
assistance on bare metals, including galvanising and
other metallic platings. The ERPS system will be of assistance
close to paint, so 100% paint coverage that is normally needed
to be 100% effective is certainly not as crucial as it
is without the protection of the system.
It cannot be too strongly emphasised that
Ferric Oxide (surface rust) will form on bare metal or
perhaps come through thin, porous paint.
It Cannot Protect the Metal Surrounding
Existing Rust
A fact of life in the electrostatics field
is that it is almost impossible to hold a charge on a
sharp thin edge, such as often exists in rust holes. If
covered with paint everything is fine, but exposed areas
with thin sharp metal edges will be unprotected. This
means that any rust perforations or bubbling will need
to be adequately cleaned up, edges filed square and a
reasonable coat of paint applied, before the system will
be properly effective in that area.
It Cannot Prevent
Corrosion Completely
While the system is a unique and very effective rust preventative,
its basic mechanism is to slow the electrochemical reactions
involved in rust, therefore any bare metal is still likely
to develop a superficial layer of surface rust, because
this is a direct reaction between the chemical components
of corrosion.
Most automotive paints are porous to some
degree and will allow moisture to enter and react with
the metal underneath, causing the rust to bubble under
the paint. When protected by the ERPS system, this destructive
form of rust is restricted to a thin surface layer of
rust. In some cases when it rains, surface rust can leech
down the paint as a rusty streak. This is due to either
exposed metal or porous paint and while this rust will
not develop into bubbling or pitting, the effect can be
unsightly. This problem becomes more apparent as vehicles
age and paints oxidise and become thinner. In cases such
as this, it is advisable to either give the area a coat
of paint, in the case of exposed metal, or wash the area
and go over it with a good quality paint sealant in the
case of porous paints. The incidence of surface rust leeching
through paint is particularly evident in salty conditions
and during periods of constant rain. If the ERPS system
is fitted when the vehicle is new, or near new, it is
unlikely that such leeching would occur at all, since
the electronic system also protects against oxidation
of paint.
It Cannot Perform Miracles
The ERPS system cannot perform miracles.
Capacitively inducing a charge onto the metal surface
is a proven and reliable method of reducing electrochemical
corrosion, but it has its limits. We therefore suggest
that if your corrosion problem is unique, by either the
environment the vehicle is working in or the size and
paint coverage of the vehicle that the factory is contacted
for specialist advice.
Customer Testimonials
The following
testimonials are from satisfied ERPS customers.
1. Matt
Blair, Sunshine Beach Surf Club
2. John Gorman, Gormans
Removals
3. Paul Gibson, Professional
Beach Fisherman
4. Brett Higgins, Professional Beach
Fisherman
|
Click here to view
ERPS brochure |
The information provided
above is the original intellectual property of Electronic
Rust Prevention Systems (Aust) Pty Ltd and further details
can be found at their website address www.erps.com.au.
