URI researchers develop corrosion-resistant polymer

A new group of non-toxic, corrosion-resistant polymers developed by University of Rhode Island scientist Sze Yang will likely put a smile on the face of Erin Brockovich.

The polymers are designed as a replacement for chromates in paints and other coating systems. Chromates have been used commercially to protect metal from corrosion for 50 years but have recently been declared hazardous. Brockovich's efforts to demonstrate that they caused widespread health problems in Hinckley, Cal. was made into the Academy Award-winning movie Erin Brockovich in 2000 starring Julia Roberts.