Preparation of epoxy-zeolite nanocomposite coating and investigation of immersion time effect on its corrosion protection on mild steel in NaClmedia

Mild steel used in nearly every type of product created from steel, it is weldable, very hard and although it easily rusts, very durable. This type of steel is able to be magnetized and used inalmost any project that requires a vast amount of metal. Due to its poor corrosion-resistance, it must be protected in order to prevent rust from damaging it. The application of polymer coatings to metals and alloys is the oldest means of corrosion controland dates back to antiquity. Most modern barrier systems are based on thermosetting polymers, such as epoxies [1]. Epoxy systems are widely used, for example, in building and civil engineering sectors, due to an excellent combination of mechanical properties, chemical stability,corrosion and wear resistance as well as adhesiveness to most metals and alloys [2]. Barrier andcorrosion protection properties of organic coating systems may be improved by addition offillers. Smaller filler particles may increase polymer–fillerinteractions and also improve barrier properties of the host polymericcoating. Hence, nano-sized particles with very fine grain sizeand high boundary volume, provide enhanced barrier properties incomparison with conventionalfillers [3]. Indeed, such nanocomposite coatings have shown improved corrosion protection and barrier properties.In this work, Epoxy-zeolite nanocomposite coatings were prepared. The synthesized coatingswere characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and XRD techniques.Corrosion performance of coated mild steel panels was investigated using EIS, Polarization techniques and immersion test. The immersion test show that nanocomposite can improve the protection ability of epoxy coatings, so that tafel polarization nd impedance curves in immersion tests, show that the protection efficiency of coated mild steel panels, during 43 days immersion in 3.5% NaCl electrolyte is 99%.

Keywords:

Nanocomposite , Resin epoxy , Corrosion , Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy , Polarization , Mild steel , Immersion test