Effect of ZrO2 Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Anticorrosion Properties of Epoxy Coating

Abstract

Homogeneous epoxy coatings containing ZrO₂ nanoparticles were applied on Grade A naval steel substrates. The morphology of the coating was characterized by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of nanoparticles on the corrosion resistance of the hybrid coating was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization method. ZrO₂ (1 wt.%) doping increased the microhardness of coating up to 15%, from 12.5 (kgf/mm²) to 14.4 (kgf/mm²). The coated steel samples were electrochemically monitorized over the 30 days of immersion in 5 wt.% NaCl solution. As shown by the polarization resistance and corrosion rate, the nanoparticles have a beneficial role, significantly improving the corrosion resistance.