Mercapto functional azole compounds as organic corrosion inhibitors in a polyester-melamine coating

The corrosion inhibition of two mercapto functional azole compounds including 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) and 2-mercaptobenzoxazole (MBO) for mild steel in 1 M NaCl solution was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), then their impact on the protective performance of a polyester-melamine coating was evaluated using salt spray. EIS results revealed a higher corrosion inhibitive activity of MBI compared to that of MBO. Corrosion products were examined by SEM-EDX and FTIR. The results showed modification of the corrosion products in the presence of MBI and MBO. The salt spray results revealed an improved corrosion protection of the coatings formulated with MBI and MBO. There was almost no impact of MBI and MBO on adhesion strength and glass transition temperature of the coatings, meaning that their impact on the corrosion protection performance of the formulated coating could only be attributed to their effect on the corrosion products.