Role of surface functionalization on corrosion resistance and thermal stability of epoxy/glass flake composite coating on cold rolled steel

Composites of epoxy and functionalized glass flake (FGF) with enhanced corrosion protection for cold rolled steel (CRS) are developed. The influence of glass flake (GF) functionalization on their dispersion in the epoxy matrix was examined using TEM and the interface adhesion was evaluated using SEM. The coating corrosion resistance was investigated via Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Potentiodynamic Polarization measurements and the long-term protection was measured gravimetrically by immersing bare and coated CRS specimens in 3.5 wt.% NaCl for 90 days. The study demonstrates attaching aminosilane groups to the surface of GF leads to substantial enhancement in corrosion protection and thermal stability of the epoxy-FGF (E/FGF) composite coating at small FGF loading.