A functionalized epoxy resin (DGEBA) was synthesized from abietic acid, through the esterification and condensation reactions between the carboxyl groups of abietic acid and the basic functional groups of an epoxy resin. This method of synthesis increases the epoxy resin surface adhesion, as well as the chemical and thermal stability, for being used as a protective coating against corrosion of copper plates. Characterization analyses included FTIR and SEM of both raw and functionalized epoxy resin substrates performed. The corrosion performance of these coatings when applied onto Cu and stainless plates was tested in terms of: (i) immersion in a misty saline chamber, under accelerated corrosive conditions; (ii) Taber abrasion and (iii) hardness, adhesion and potentiodynamic polarization. The obtained results indicate the existence of a chemical bond between the epoxy ring and the carboxyl functional groups of abietic acid. This chemical bonding provided an increased adhesion as well as better chemical and thermal stabilities than those of the original resin. The corrosion resistance lining the functionalized epoxy resin films indicated that their anticorrosive efficiency was up to 30% higher than that of the functionalized resin.

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