Effect of curing temperature on coating structure and corrosion resistance of ammonium zirconium carbonate on galvanized steel surface

► AZC coating cured below 120 °C gave excellent corrosion resistance. ► Corrosion resistance is attributed to suppression of cathode reaction. ► Corrosion resistance tends to be inferior significantly curing over 160 °C. ► Dehydration of hydroxyl groups involved in bond between zirconium occurs at 155 °C. ► Decrease of corrosion resistance is due to the fissures generated by dehydration.