Corrosion Resistance of Structural Steel Processed Using Electro-Plasma Methods

Electro-plasma cleaning and deposition is a recently developed electrolytic method for cleaning mill scale and other debris from steel surfaces, and depositing protective metal coatings. Structural steel was processed using these methods and tested for corrosion resistance. Samples included freshly cleaned steel coupons and samples coated with a metallic zinc layer. Tests included linear polarization resistance, QUV weathering, salt fog exposure, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Steel samples cleaned by electro-plasma methods exhibited superior corrosion resistance to those cleaned by shot-blasting. The zinc metal coatings demonstrated potential for long-term corrosion protection.