Protective mechanisms occurring on zinc coated steel cut-edges in immersion conditions

Can Finite Element Method Obtain SVET Current Densities Closer to True Localized Corrosion Rates?

In this paper, the finite element method was used to simulate the response of the scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) across an iron–zinc cut-edge sample in order to provide a deeper understanding of the localized corrosion rates measured using SVET. It was found that, if the diffusion layer was neglected, the simulated current density using the Laplace equation fitted the experimental SVET current density perfectly. However, the electrolyte was not perturbed by a vibrating SVET probe in the field, so a diffusion layer existed. Therefore, the SVET current densities obtained from the local conductivity of the electrolyte would likely be more representative of the true corrosion rates than the SVET current densities obtained from the bulk conductivity. To help overcome this difference between natural conditions and those imposed by the SVET experiment, a local electrolyte corrected conductivity SVET (LECC-SVET) current density was introduced, which was obtained by replacing the bulk electrolyte conductivity measured experimentally by the local electrolyte conductivity simulated using the Nernst−Einstein equation. Although the LECC-SVET current density did not fit the experimental SVET current density as perfectly as that obtained from the Laplace equation, it likely represents current densities closer to the true, unperturbed corrosion conditions than the SVET data from the bulk conductivity.

Sacrificial Dissolution of Zinc Electroplated and Cold Galvanized Coated Steel in Saline and Soil Environments: A Comparison

To protect steel structures, zinc coatings are mostly used as a sacrificial barrier. This research aims to estimate the dissolution tendency of the electroplated and zinc-rich cold galvanized (ZRCG) coatings of a controlled thickness (35 ± 1 μm) applied via brush and dip coating methods on the mild steel. To assess the corrosion behavior of these coated samples in 3.5% NaCl and 10% NaCl containing soil solutions, open circuit potential (OCP), cyclic polarization (CP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests were performed. The more negative OCP and appreciably large corrosion rate of the electroplated and ZRCG coated samples in 3.5% NaCl solution highlighted the preferential dissolution of Zn coatings. However, in saline soil solution, the relatively positive OCP (>−850 mV vs. Cu/CuSO₄) and lower corrosion rate of the electroplated and ZRCG coatings compared to the uncoated steel sample indicated their incapacity to protect the steel substrate. The CP scans of the zinc electroplated samples showed a positive hysteresis loop after 24 h of exposure in 3.5% NaCl and saline soil solutions attributing to the localized dissolution of the coating. Similarly, the appreciable decrease in the charge transfer resistance of the electroplated samples after 24 h of exposure corresponded to their accelerated dissolution. Compared to the localized dissolution of the electroplated and brush-coated samples, the dip-coated ZRCG samples exhibited uniform dissolution during the extended exposure (500 h) salt spray test.

Regenerative nano-hybrid coating tailored for autonomous corrosion protection

A novel bilayer coating system for autonomous corrosion-triggered self-healing is demonstrated. The storage of the encapsulated monomer and the catalyst is separated in two different layers. The encapsulated catalyst is stored inside a metallic coating, which ensures its activity even for an extended exposure time. The release from the capsules is triggered by corrosion and the correlated pH increase.