Improved corrosion performance of electrophoretic coatings by silane addition

Organosilanes are incorporated into a commercial cathodic electrophoretic paint, resulting in significant improvement in the long-term corrosion protective properties of the paint. The addition of organosilanes have strengthened mechanical properties, improved hydrophobicity, lowered water uptake and less decrease in glass transition temperature of the coatings, suggesting the enhancement in bulk structure of the polymeric coatings. In addition, silane-enriched layer preferentially forms at the metal/coating interface during the electrophoresis process, leading to better adhesion between the substrate and the coating. The structural enhancement in both the coating and the metal/coating interface explains the improved corrosion performance of silane-incorporated electrophoretic coatings.

► Silane-incorporated electrophoretic coatings were studied, believed to be for the first time. ► Silane improves the corrosion performance of electrophoretic coatings. ► Silane incorporation enhances the bulk structure of polymeric coatings. ► Silane-enriched layer is preferentially formed during the electrophoresis.