Anti-corrosive performance of epoxy coatings containing various nano-particles for splash zone applications

Various formulations of epoxy nano-composites coating were developed by incorporating the nanoparticles (NPs) of ZnO, ZrO2, and SiO2 (2 wt%) in commercially available epoxy resin as the matrix phase. Direct incorporation method was used for the addition of NPs in epoxy matrix. High-speed mechanical stirring and ultra-sonication were carried out to facilitate the dispersion of NPs in the presence of acetone used as a solvent. Coating of neat epoxy and NPs (ZnO, ZrO2, SiO2) doped coating was applied on mild steel substrate for corrosion analysis. The effect of the incorporation of various NPs on anti-corrosive properties of the epoxy/nano-composite coatings was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. The experimental results showed an improvement in the anticorrosive properties for EZr coatings as compared with pristine and other nanocomposite coating samples.