The improvement of anticorrosion properties of zinc-rich organic coating by incorporating surface-modified zinc particle

The corrosion behaviors of zinc-rich coating with various zinc contents, ranging from 0 to 60 volume percent, in thin organic coatings (below 5 μm) were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), free corrosion potential (E_corr) measurement and cycle corrosion test (CCT). It was verified that both coatings with 60 volume percent of zinc powder and without zinc powder showed good corrosion resistance mainly due to the cathodic protection and barrier effect, respectively. On the other hand, coatings with an intermediate concentration (10–40 vol.%) of zinc powder was not successful in protecting a steel substrate efficiently. To improve anticorrosion property of zinc-rich coating, the surface modification of zinc particle was carried out with derivatives of phosphoric and phosphonic acid in the aqueous solution. The effects of the surface modification of zinc particle on corrosion resistance of the coating were investigated with scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The best anti-corrosion performance was achieved when the incorporated zinc particle was treated with phosphoric acid 2-ethylhexyl ester and calcium ion simultaneously, which induced the formation of alkyl-phosphate-calcium complex layer of 190 nm in thickness on zinc particles. Corrosion resistance was improved by the decreased zinc activity and the increased compatibility between the formed complex layer on zinc surface and polymer binder matrix.