Corrosion control in hollow frame structures

Abstract

Corrosion protection in hollow metal structures is attained by placing an injected, foam-in-place, closed cell plastic polymer foam into an interior of a hollow metal structure, thereby preventing the ingress of foreign matter, such as dirt or water.

What is claimed:  
     
       1. A technique for preventing corrosion in hollow metal structures comprising: 
       application of an expanding plastic polymer material into a hollow metal structure to act as a barrier to an environment containing corrosion causing species.  
     
     
       2. A technique, as in claim  1 , wherein the plastic polymer material is a closed cell plastic polymer foam. 
     
     
       3. A technique, as in claim  2 , wherein the plastic polymer material is a polymeric diisocynate resin. 
     
     
       4. A technique for preventing corrosion in hollow metal structures comprising: 
       a closed cell plastic polymer foam injected into the hollow metal structure; and means for injecting the resin mixture into the hollow metal structure.  
     
     
       5. A method for corrosion proofing a hollow metal structure, said hollow metal structure having an interior and exterior surface, comprised of the steps of: 
       drilling a plurality of access holes into the hollow metal structure;  
       preparing the interior surface, when precorroded, of the hollow metal structure; and  
       injecting an expanding plastic polymer material through said access holes into the interior of the hollow metal structure from a pressurized dispenser.  
     
     
       6. A method for corrosion proofing a hollow metal structure, said hollow metal structure having an interior and exterior, comprised of the steps of: 
       drilling a plurality of access holes into the hollow metal structure or utilizing existing access holes;  
       preparing the interior surface, when precorroded, of the hollow metal structure; and  
       injecting a closed cell plastic polymer foam material through said access holes into the interior of the hollow metal structure from a pressurized dispenser.  
     
     
       7. A method for corrosion proofing a hollow metal structure, said hollow metal structure having an interior and exterior, comprised of the steps of: 
       drilling a plurality of access holes into the hollow metal structure or utilizing existing access holes;  
       preparing the interior surface, when precorroded, of the hollow metal structure; and  
       injecting a polymeric diisocynate polyol resin mixture through said access holes into the interior of the hollow metal structure from a pressurized dispenser.  
     
     
       8. A technique for preventing corrosion in hollow metal structures comprising: 
       a polymeric diisocynate polyol resin injected into the hollow metal structure; and  
       means for injecting the resin into the hollow metal structure.