THE INFLUENCE OF ZrO2/SILANE PRE-TREATMENT ON CORROSION RESISTANCE OF POWDER COATING

Abstract

Carbon steel was treated by immersion in silane doped hexafluorozirconic acid solution. Treated surface was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and electrochemical methods. The effect of ZrO2/silane pretreatment on the protective properties of powder coating was studied by adhesion measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The obtained results showed that the morphology and electrochemical characteristics of ZrO2/silane film depend on solution pH. Surface morphology was uniform and compact at solution pH = 4. The best corrosion performance obtained with the film formed in solution with pH and immersion time of 4 and 4 mins, respectively. The ZrO2/silane pretreatment significantly improved adhesion and corrosion resistance of powder coating on carbon steel.