The influence of SiC particles on the corrosion resistance of electroless, Cu–P composite coating in 1 M HCl

The present paper aims to compare the corrosion resistance of the electroless Cu–P–SiC with Cu–P composite coating on carbon steel in 1 M HCl solution by the weight loss, potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) techniques. The study reveals that, the corrosion current density (Icorr) and the double layer capacitance (Cdl) values decrease, the charge transfer resistance (Rct) and inhibition of efficiencies (IE %) increase with the incorporation of SiC particles in the Cu–P matrix indicating the improvement in corrosion resistance.

► Electroless Cu–P–SiC composite coating on carbon steel was deposited for the first time.
► The corrosion resistance of electroless Cu–P–SiC, Cu–P composite coatings and carbon steel in 1 M HCl were compared.
► The corrosion resistance was evaluated by gravimetric and electrochemical methods and surface analysis.
► The incorporation of SiC particles in the Cu–P matrix showed that the composite coatings provided excellent anti-corrosion property for the substrate.