Evaluation of Nanostructured Polymeric Coatings for Steel Corrosion Protection

Abstract

The effect of the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to epoxy and vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer (VYHH) coatings on their ability to protect the substrates was studied. Coatings were formulated from these resins with and without MWCNT reinforcement. Steel substrates were prepared and coated with each formulated coating and submerged in 5% NaCl solution to study effectiveness by means of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Optical microscopy was used to capture the progress of sample corrosion. EIS measurements showed that the addition of MWCNTs to epoxy and VYHH coatings increased their charge transfer resistance in comparison with the neat coatings. This is an indication of the enhanced corrosion protection of the nanocoatings.