Electrochemical studies of the inhibition of the cathodic delamination of organically coated galvanised steel by thin conversion films

Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) measurements of thin amorphous conversion film coated galvanised steel in combination with current density–potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed with the aim to improve the understanding of electrode potentials at the coating/metal interface and their influence on corrosive de-adhesion. The thin hybrid conversion films contained Zn-phosphates, titanates and also complexing organic compounds and led to an inhibition of the cathodic oxygen reduction and anodic zinc dissolution. In the polymer coated area the conversion film leads to a cathodic shift of the potential as measured by means of the SKP. This cathodic potential shift is explained by the substitution of the n-semiconducting Zn-oxide with an insulating inorganic layer. When the SKP detects the potential of freely corroding iron at a defect, where no protective coating layer is, the interfacial potential for the conversion film coated zinc layer is more negative than the defect potential. This leads to a diminished driving force for an oxygen reduction induced delamination process which is of relevance for the understanding of cut-edge corrosion.