WORKSHOP PROFILE
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DEFEATING RUST • LPSI was one of the first products formulated by LPS Research Laboratories when the firm was founded in California in the late 1950s. Its major breakthrough was in the use of this product in protecting US military aircraft.
In 1980 the company was acquired by the present parent company, Holt Lloyd Internationale, the Britishbased firm known for such vehicle care products as Hoits, Redex and Turtle. The LPS product range is now made in Winsford, Cheshire, as well as in Tucker, Georgia. LPS contributes 15% of Holt Lloyd's group turnover of .480 million a year.
LPSI is a penetrant and water displacer with limited corrosion resistance used in electric and electronic environments; LPS3 penetrates into difficult areas, provides a thicker film and protects, for instance, the main aircraft frame on Boeings; and one of the range of other products. ESA100, is specified by the Department of Transport for the lubrication and protection of braking and mechanical systems on motorway salt and grit spreading machines.
Rust conversion products have been around for some time, but only now has LPS come along with what it claims is a significant breakthrough, a product that converts rust into neutral products and goes on protecting against further rust. It is Rustax CAL Workshop attended a presentation by Dr E. M. Wilkinson, technical manager, which showed the results of tests with Rustax and five rival products including red lead. Steel panels had been placed in a cabinet and subjected for 200 hours to a 5% salt spray solution at 35°C. Rust had broken through on the unpainted areas, whereas the protected ones were all right. After 400 hours even where other firms' rust treatment film was backed with a protective top coat, corrosion was breaking through. But after 800 hours the Rustax panel was better than any competitor had been after only 200 hours.
The tests were made on mild steel panels previously rusted by three months weather exposure and then lightly brushed clean and water washed. The converter or primer under test was applied approximately to 50 micron dry film thickness by draw bar and dried overnight at ambient temperature.
LPS is not claiming that.:: this is a wonder product or.
the end to all rusting; it does say that it is a revolutionary new rust converter/inhibitor. Rustax CA1 converts the iron oxide corrosion products into an inert organic molecule which remains bonded to the metal surface. It can be brushed or sprayed on; it will accept a range of decorative finishes. It does not contain tannic acid or phosphoric acid. Potential large users may obtain samples and advice is obtainable from LPS Research Laboratories Ltd, Lloyds House, Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire,-:, Rustax is already on the 'market, at a "competitive" price.
by Workshop reporter