Corrosion of steel alone is a multi-trillion-dollar problem globally. Economic losses are not the only consequences of corrosion; structural failure of buildings and bridges can be fatal. This article will briefly discuss the corrosion process and methods to prevent or reduce corrosion with coatings.
Electrochemical corrosion
The most common forms of corrosion are chemical processes where metals in a high energy elemental state chemically react to attain a lower energy, more stable positively charged state. These low energy states are often in the form of metal oxides so corrosion is often referred to as oxidation.
The corrosion process is an Oxidation-Reduction (RedOx) reaction because one participant in the reaction is oxidized (the metal) while another is reduced (oxygen). Looking back on general chemistry, we know that in order to become positively charged the metal atoms have to lose electrons (oxidize). A great mnemonic to remember the movement of electrons in oxidation-reduction reactions like those occurring in the corrosion process is “Oil Rig”.
O Oxidation
i is
l loss
R Reduction
i is
g gain
Since electrons flow during the process of corrosion, it is an electrochemical reaction where current is generated. Three components are required to create an electrochemical cell allowing corrosion to proceed. These components are:
- an electron donor called the anode
- an electron acceptor called the cathode
- a conductive path for the electrons to flow between them.
Often in an electrochemical corrosion cell, the pathway for the electrons is a conductive liquid called an electrolyte. While pure water is not highly conductive, solutions of salts can be. This is the reason that the presence of salts often accelerates corrosion. Removing or neutralizing any of these components prevents corrosion of the substrate from occurring.
Controlling corrosion through coatings
When an object is susceptible to oxidation, one of the most common methods of corrosion control is the application of a protective anti-corrosion coating. Different mechanisms can be used to prevent corrosion but two methods are used in the majority of protective coatings. These methods are barrier formation and disrupting the electrochemical corrosion cell. Often both mechanisms are combined in a single coating to increase corrosion resistance.
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Barrier coatings
One way to interrupt the electrochemical cell is to create a barrier. Commonly this is a barrier to moisture and/or oxygen, preventing the formation of a viable electrochemical cell. This can be accomplished by using coatings made from highly crystalline polymeric binders which prevent diffusion of these components through the film to the substrate. The incorporation of lamellar (platy) pigments can also create a barrier to oxygen and water, interrupting the flow of electrons and preventing corrosion from proceeding.
Two well-known types of polymeric binders used in barrier coatings are epoxy resins and halogenated copolymers. These systems form films with high resistance to the transmission of water, water vapor and oxygen. Keeping water from reaching the surface prevents the formation of a conductive electrolyte path, where electrons flow from anode to cathode.
If oxygen cannot reach the surface of the metal, there is no acceptor (cathode) for the electrons from the metal and corrosion cannot proceed.
Lamellar pigments also prevent the movement of water and oxygen to the metal surface. These platy pigments—like mica and talc—form a “maze” of sorts. Even if the polymer film allows oxygen and water penetration, the indirect path to the surface is longer. The corrosion process is slowed, if not stopped, and the surface is preserved.
The barrier properties of a coating also depend on other factors such as film thickness. Generally as long as other properties (i.e. adhesion) are not affected, thicker barriers perform better in corrosion prevention.
Corrosion inhibiting coatings
While barrier coatings physically protect the metals surface, corrosion inhibiting coatings protect the surface through chemical mechanisms. Metals have higher electrochemical activity and will oxidize instead of the substrate or pigments, which can interrupt the electrochemical process. Therefore, metals can be used as components of corrosion inhibiting coatings.
One of the simplest anti-corrosion coatings is the zinc-rich primer. Since zinc oxidizes more readily than iron or steel, it is the preferred anode in the electrochemical cell, preventing corrosion of the substrate. This is an example of cathodic protection of the metal substrate since zinc acts at the cathode of the electrochemical cell.
Aluminum is also used to provide cathodic protection of steel surfaces. Lead and chromium are extremely effective as corrosion inhibitors but health and safety concerns severely limit or eliminate their use.
If a corrosion inhibitor acts at the anode, it is providing anodic protection. Anodic corrosion inhibitors prevent the formation of metal oxides in the substrate. Often they are partially soluble salts of anions containing phosphorous or boron. These anions can have variable oxidation states (charges) depending on the chemical environment.
The efficacy of a corrosion inhibitor can vary widely depending on the coating system binder and environmental conditions. When specifying or formulating protective coatings based on corrosion inhibitors, the end-use application, expected service life and exposure conditions must be considered.
When chosen well and correctly applied to a properly prepared substrate, anti-corrosion coatings can provide years of service in preserving metal objects.
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Wally,
I know that you and I have crossed paths years ago. Didn’t we work together at Gage Products in Ferndale? It seems that you are doing very well. I am now out of coatings and selling thermoplastic engineered resins. If you ever get a moment, please send me a note. Thank you.
Hey Ken, I worked at Gage, with Ron Easton and Bill Moreau. We’re you there when they installed the underground storage tank?
Great Post for Anti-Corrosion Coatings! This is must to take care of metals from dust & rust. This is important to do regular maintenance on the metal parts to make it corrosion resistance. This really a nice write up for how to make our products rust free! Thanks for sharing, This is useful!
Thank you very much for your kind comments.
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Corrosion Protection is a must need task for Car owners like us. Thank you for posting this.