The corrosion resistance of hot dip galvanised steel and AA2024-T3 pre-treated with bis-[triethoxysilylpropyl] tetrasulfide solutions doped with Ce(NO3)3

The present work aims at evaluating the anti-corrosion behaviour of a novel pre-treatment based on bis-[triethoxysilylpropyl] tetrasulfide (BTESPT) doped with cerium nitrate for application on hot dip galvanised steel and AA2024-T3 substrates. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and by the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET), during immersion in NaCl solutions. The electrochemical results showed that the pre-treatment provides excellent corrosion protection to the substrates. Furthermore, the results evidenced improved protection comparatively to the use of undoped BTESPT pre-treatments, both for galvanised steel and AA2024-T3. This improvement is most likely due to enhanced barrier properties of the film and additional active corrosion protection originated from the inhibiting action of the cerium-based inhibitor impregnated in the silane matrix.