Nano-TiO2 Phosphate Conversion Coatings – A Chemical Approach

Abstract

Abstract The present study aims at deposition of zinc phosphate coatings on low carbon steel with incorporated nano- TiO2 particles by chemical phosphating method. The coated low carbon steel samples were assessed in corrosion studies using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques (Tafel) in 3.5% NaCl solution. Morphology and chemical composition of the coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in order to observe growth of coating. Significant variations in the coating weight, porosity and corrosion resistance were observed with the addition of nano- TiO2 in the phosphating bath. Corrosion rate of nano-TiO2 chemical phosphate coated samples was found to be 3.5 milli inches per year which was 3 times less than the normal phosphate-coated sample (8 mpy). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies reveal reduction of porosity of nano-TiO2 phosphate coated samples. It was found that nano-TiO2 particles in the phosphating solution yielded uniform phosphate coatings of higher coating weight, fewer defects and enhanced corrosion resistance than the normal zinc phosphate coatings (developed using normal phosphating bath).