Corrosion control by self

Scientists have studied the corrosion control by autonomous self-healing epoxy coatings based on superabsorbent healing agents.

Metallic corrosion is an all-time dangerous and extremely expensive problem. Scientists now present an autonomous self-healing polymer coating based on an epoxy resin and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) blend as an anticorrosion coating. Tailor-made coatings were manufactured by controlling the location of the SAP on the surface, middle, and bottom of the coating. The corrosion behavior and self-healing process of the coatings were analyzed at the macro, micro, and sub-micro scales using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS).

The SAP preferentially located at the bottom showed coating resistance values higher than 1 × 1011 Ωcm2 over 10 days of immersion with 3-point defects. This configuration provided the best anticorrosion performance, preventing coating delamination, and protecting the metal from corrosion after surface damage, indicating better barrier properties. The SAP enabled local repair of the crack when in contact with water, minimizing the diffusion of oxygen and electroactive species, which are responsible for the corrosion of a metal.

The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 182, September 2023.

Event tip

Protective coatings are also in the focus of the EC Conference Protective & Fire-retardant Coatings on October 18 -19 in Berlin, Germany. The latest developments in protective and fire-retardant coatings will be presented to you in one conference.