Performance Evaluation of Epoxy Coatings Containing Different Fillers in Natural and Simulated Environmental Conditions for Corrosion Resistance Volume 3 - Issue 4

Muhammad ANS¹*, A Farooq², MJK Lodhi² and KM Deen^2,3

• ¹Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne, France
• ²Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, University of the Punjab, Pakistan
• ³Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada

Received: September 25, 2019;   Published: October 10, 2019

*Corresponding author: Muhammad Ans, Department of materials science, Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne, France

DOI: 10.32474/OAJBEB.2019.03.000168

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Abstract

Epoxy coatings are widely applied on steel structures due to their high adhesion strength and corrosion resistant properties. The transient environmental conditions and photo degradation could limit their long-term performance in many outdoor applications. The addition of different types of fillers could significantly change their barrier properties. In this study we investigated the corrosion performance of epoxy coatings on AISI 1040 steel after addition of different inorganic fillers i.e. TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, ZnO and graphite according to ASTM G-50 and ASTM B-117 standards. The effect of various fillers on the adhesion and degradation behavior of epoxy coatings after exposure to atmosphere and saline solutions was estimated by visual inspection and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The significant loss in adhesion strength was observed after extended exposure to the ambient conditions. The notable changes in the intensity of IR signatures belonging to the primary amine, ethyl and origin of carbonyl group could be related with the degradation of coatings and were in agreement with the loss in adhesion strength. The relatively little change in the adhesion strength of ZnO containing epoxy coating compared to other fillers suggested its better performance.

Keywords: Epoxy coating; Degradable; Fillers; Salt spray analysis, Corrosion resistance

Introduction

Protective organic coatings are being widely used to protect steel structures and equipment form corrosion damages. Corrosion threat to commercial infrastructure is a monetary and engineering problem, while the expense of the coatings is a little part of the whole cost of the undertaking. The major victims of corrosion are chemical processing units, oil and gas industry, bridges, aircrafts, and marine industry which always invest their every possible resource to protect and to enhance the service life of their infrastructure [1]. The protective coating acts as a barrier between environment and substrate material, while it is an admitted fact that no ideal coating exist in reality. The performance of any coating in service mainly depends on the coating/substrate interface and its molecular structure which could limit the diffusion of electrolyte through it [2]. It is therefore to judge the quality of any coating, the adhesion strength with the substrate and its non-absorptive character towards electrolyte are the paramount [3]. The adhesive strength of the coatings with substrate is highly affected by the presence of contaminants including the dirt, chloride ions at the interface and/ or in the environment during service [4]. The presence of chloride, sulfate and nitrate at the surface of substrate could preferentially attract moisture at the interface by establishing continuous ions transport path through the coatings. This could lead to premature coating failure by blistering or complete delamination followed by sever corrosion of substrate [5,6]. Because of superior strength, chemical resistance and excellent adhesion strength to substrate, epoxy is termed as to be the most important class of anticorrosive paints with a service life of 50 to 60 years [7]. But at the same time epoxy is known for its susceptibility to degrade under exposure of sunlight and transient weather conditions. To reduce the vulnerable effects of these natural stimuli on the integrity of the epoxy coatings many different types of inorganic filler materials are added in them before application and curing. It is also well known that all polymeric films are permeable to oxygen and water, but in some cases the penetration of these species could exceed the tolerance limits during service and may initiate corrosion reactions at the coating/substrate interface [8]. Addition of inorganic fillers could also be beneficial in this respect to enhance their anti-corrosive properties [9]. Various type of inorganic filler materials has been used i.e. nano sized like ZrO2 [10], carbon black [11], Al2O3 particles [12] in the coatings to enhance their barrier properties to resist corrosion. The corrosion resistance can also be improved by coat the stainless steel with nano film of Al-Si [13]. In order to evaluate the performance of the coatings an analytical technique like FTIR is proved to be extremely helpful in the chemical characterization of the coatings [14]. This technique plays a vital role in evaluating the molecular change of the coatings during their exposure to the different environments. Adhesion is the key parameter that may determine the quality and durability of the coatings. Therefore, the focus of present work is to evaluate the effect of different fillers added to epoxy resin before application on the steel substrate. The influence of filler materials addition in the coating materials has been studied. The performance of these coatings under exposure to natural atmosphere and simulated conditions has been evaluated. The effect on the adhesion strength, photo stability and corrosion behavior have also been determined as a function of exposure time.

Experimental Work

The AISI-1040 steel panels were cut length=15cm, width=7.5cm from a sheet of 0.5mm thickness. The steel panels were grit blasted to remove mill scales and rusting followed by deburring before coating application. The substrate was placed at an angle of 45º with respect to the position of blasting gun in order to produce effective surface roughness. The surface tension of the prepared substrates was measured according to ISO-8296 standard by using DIN-53364 plasma ink, which turns out to be 38mN/m. A uniform layer of 60 μm zinc-sulphate primer was applied to achieve maximum adhesion strength of the coatings on the substrate surface. The coating material was prepared by mixing 78 (w/w) % epoxy resin, 17(w/w) % polyamide curing agent and 5(w/w) % of each TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, ZnO and graphite as filler materials. The homogenous mixture was prepared by mechanical stirring at 600 rpm. To produce the desired consistency 1% acetone was also added in the mixture. To ensure uniform mixing of resin, curing agent, filler and other additives mixing was carried out for 15 min. These coatings were applied using roller brushes over pre-treated substrate panels and kept for 24 hours to dry and cure. These coated steel panels are designed as TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, ZnO and graphite in the following discussion. The panels were exposed to natural atmosphere and to the saline environment in a salt spray chamber according to the ASTM G-50 [15] and ASTM B-117 standards [16] respectively. Three samples of each scheme were exposed to natural atmospheric condition; one sample from each scheme was taken after every 45 days for further testing and evaluation. The FTIR spectroscopy (IR Prestige-21, SHIMADZU Japan), adhesion tests ASTM D4541 (108 Hydraulic Adhesion Tester Elcometer) and visual examination according to ASTM G-33 standard were carried to estimate the integrity and corrosion behavior of coatings. The panels were placed in the salt pray chamber at 35 °C. The saline environment was created by maintaining, 5(w/v) % NaCl mist, at 1.3bars, under 100% humidity and pH 6.5 – 7.2 conditions. The panels were taken out after 500 and 1000 hours of exposure for further analysis according to the standard procedure.

Results & Discussion

Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

FTIR Spectroscopy is a useful technique for molecular structural investigation of organic the coatings. The FTIR spectra present the interference fringes that may arise due to the constructive or destructive interference from the refracted functional groups, giving characteristics peaks to evaluate structural information. Figure 1 shows the FTIR spectra of coated steel samples after different exposure to natural atmosphere according to ASTM G-50 containing different fillers i.e. TiO₂, Fe₂O₃, ZnO and graphite, respectively. It was observed that each coated sample presented vibrational bands at (2800-2990cm-1) corresponding to –CH3 functional group. The stretching vibrations related with the OH (3100- 3600cm-1) was also observed. The peaks at 1580-1650cm- 1, 1230cm-1, 1000-1100cm-1and at 830cm-1could be associated with the primary amine (NH), ETHER, C-N group and epoxy ring structure, respectively [17-19]. After exposure, the peak at wave number (1720cm-1) was originated which could be attributed to the stretching of carbonyl functional group. This could be due to the reaction of atmospheric oxygen with the free radicals at the surface of coating [20]. The epoxide group in the resin interacts with the amines functional groups of polyamides curing agent during curing process as presented in reaction scheme Equation I-IV [21].

Briefly, in the first step, the amine (–NH2) group present at the end of polyamide curing agent chain opens up the epoxy ring followed by chain extension and branching in the three dimensional network structure. In addition, formation of hydroxyl groups (–OH) during curing process and decrease in concentration of epoxy rings represent the effective cross linking and complete curing of resin. Also, the decrease in the concentration of primary amines (present on the polyamide chains) could also be associated with the curing of coatings. In service the moisture and other aggressive ions in the environment could interact with the hydrophilic functional groups i.e. –OH, =C=O and –NH– groups and may promote the degradation of coatings. The absorption of water in the coating would also be a function of exposure time but the nature of filler compounds in the coating could significantly alter its performance characteristics. It was evaluated that upon extended exposure, the decrease in the intensity of =C–O– functional group (1230cm-1) and increase in the band intensity associated with vibration of –OH functional groups was observed. The increase in the intensity of hydroxyl groups could be associated with the absorption of water or hydrolytic degradation of coating molecular structure. Compared to other fillers, the ZnO based coating presented negligible decrease in the etheric group and small change in the broad band (≈3300cm-1) associated with the –OH groups. This behavior could be attributed to the beneficial effects of ZnO in the epoxy coating. In other filler containing coatings the increase in the intensity of –OH functional group was observed. The decrease in the etheric band and increase in the OH band intensity could be associated with the hydrolytic degradation of the epoxy coating as shown in Equation V [22].

In hydrolytic degradation, the ether bond in the epoxy polymeric chain could break along with the formation of hydroxyl group [23]. Based on the limited increase in the –OH intensity and small change in the intensity of etheric group could be associated with the limited hydrolytic degradation of ZnO containing coating. In case of graphite and Fe₂O₃ filler containing coatings, the considerable loss in the intensity of primary amine could be observed after extended exposure in the natural atmospheric conditions. This could possibly be related with the adverse atmospheric conditions in synergism with photo-degradation of polymeric chains. The TiO₂ containing coating started to show loss in intensity after 90 days incubation period in the natural environment. This loss in the intensity associated with the primary amine groups which could also be related with the opening up of the epoxy rings. In initial 45 days of exposure, the graphite and Fe₂O₃ containing coatings presented decrease in the intensity of primary amine peak and etheric group compared to TiO₂ coating which may inhibit deterioration during this time. The peak at 2800cm-1which corresponded to the methyl functional group, the gradual decrease in the intensity was observed in case of graphite, TiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ coatings compared to ZnO containing coating in the initial 45 days exposure.

Under ambient conditions, the ultraviolent radiations could also degrade the primary bonds of the polymeric structures by generating free radicals and the process called photolysis is initiated The free radicals produced by photolysis could react with atmospheric oxygen to form per-oxy radicals followed by dissociation into free radicals and water as shown schematically in Figure 2. These reactions lead to the phenomenon of chain scission, removal of small polymeric materials and de-polymerization etc. [24]. In epoxy-based coatings methyl group of the main chain are more vulnerable to degradation under ultraviolent radiations and could be converted into carbonyl [25]. The FTIR results validated the decrease in the intensity of methyl functional group with the generation of carbonyl peak at 1720cm-1after initial 45 days exposure in natural environment. This behavior could be attributed to the degradation of polymeric chains into free radicals after exposure to natural sunlight and atmospheric oxygen [17,20]. The carbonyl group belongs to chromo-phoric group, which may absorb energy from sunlight and could excite the electrons leading to reaction with the oxygen. All coating systems except ZnO containing coating system represented the formation of carbonyl group and the increase in the intensity could be used as indicator to coating degradation under extended exposure to natural environment. The TiO₂, graphite and Fe₂O₃ containing coating systems represents prominent signatures of carbonyl functional group at 1720cm- 1wave number which appear in the initial 45 days of exposure, but the origin of this peak delayed for 90 days in case of ZnO containing coating system. These behaviors could be elucidated as the limited photolysis of the coating system containing ZnO as filler. This beneficial effect of ZnO as filler could be related with its relatively wider band gap (3.37eV) and therefore could absorb large amount of UV radiation energy under atmospheric conditions [26]. However, the graphite and Fe₂O₃ based coatings provided least resistance to photo-degradation under same conditions.

Adhesion test

The mechanical integrity of the coating system is a function of coating/substrate bonding strength. It is therefore, the adhesion strength of theses coating systems after seasoned in the natural environment was measured after different exposure time periods as shown in Figure 3. Visually, the coatings did not represent any signs of delimitation from the substrate even in the presence of moisture, sunlight and humidity at variable ambient conditions of outdoor atmosphere [27]. The adhesion strength of un-exposed coated samples (as prepared) was also measured for comparison as given in Figure 3. Although the graphite-based coatings presented high UV stabilization but significant decrease in the adhesion strength after exposure corresponded to the agglomeration of the filler particles into clusters possibly by the weak Van Der Walls attraction between the particles [28]. After 90 days of exposure, the decrease in the adhesion strength was observed for all the coating schemes and this trend continue for even 135 days of exposure except the ZnO containing coating. It was evaluated that the decrease in the adhesion strength also depends on the nature of the filler materials used in the coatings. In case of ZnO containing coatings, the relatively minor change in the peak intensity associated with methyl group without any evidence of carbonyl functional group demonstrated the better stability even after extended exposure (135 days). The ZnO is known for its effective ultraviolent light absorption capability. This could absorb even shorter wavelengths UV radiation <360nm and therefore provided better protection against ever changing environmental conditions. However, TiO₂ could be reduced at smaller wavelength (<405nm) by producing nascent oxygen and could oxidize the epoxy by forming water soluble breakdown products [27]. ZnO is recognized for its better UV radiation absorption competency, which could possibly decrease the degradation of epoxy polymeric chains under sever atmospheric conditions in our case.

Salt spray

The corrosion behavior of the coated samples was investigated by exposing them in the salt spray chamber, for 1000 hours. According to ASTM-B-117, the bath was kept at 35 °C and 5% NaCl containing mist was sprayed at 1.3 bars pressure. The environment in the chamber was maintained as 100% relative humidity and pH 6.5 – 7.2 was pre-adjusted. After 500hrs. of exposure in the salt spray chamber the samples were taken out to measure the adhesion strength and for visual examination. The tape method was used to measure the adhesion strength on the coatings (ASTM D-3359). After 500 hrs. exposure, the coated samples showed adequate adhesion without delaminating from the metallic substrate. No pitting or local damage was observed, and the coating gloss was negligibly affected. The adhesion tests according to ASTM D-3359 standard were performed after 1000 hours exposure in the salt spray chamber. No signs of blistering or delamination were observed even after 1000 hours of exposure in the aggressive environment and the edges of the hatch were observed smooth as shown in Figure 4. The slight discoloration in the graphite containing coatings was observed without any blistering however, the hatches made on the coated panels were rust filled and stained as brown product due to localized corrosion and flow of aqueous saline solution over the panels after condensation [28-31]. No lifting or de-lamination was observed adjacent to the scribe line which also indicated the good adhesive characteristics of the epoxy coating with the steel.

Visual inspection of the samples exposed to the atmosphere

Initially, after 45 days of exposure to the natural atmospheric conditions the samples were taken for visual inspection. The exposed samples did not give any obvious sings of degradation or any loss in gloss for ZnO and TiO₂ containing coated samples whereas, the Fe₂O₃ and graphite coated samples exhibited a slight varying degree of discoloration. The epoxy coating is considered good for outdoor application due to its better discoloration and chalking properties. The ZnO and TiO₂ containing coatings presented limited discoloration compared to graphite and Fe₂O₃ coatings. No blisters, surface defects or localized corrosion spots were evident in these coated panels even after 90 days of exposure under transient outdoor environmental conditions. Slight loss in gloss was observed for TiO₂ containing coating after 135 days exposure without any delamination or local damage.

Conclusion

The degradation of epoxy coatings containing various filler materials were investigated under natural and accelerated environmental conditions. Based on the experimental results and visual observations the following conclusions were drawn.

a) The FTIR analysis depicted that the methyl group to be known as the photo-initiating group which could exhibit change in the vibrational intensity based on the environmental effects. The relatively large decrease in the peak intensity associated with the methyl group indicated greater degree of degradation in the coatings. ZnO containing epoxy coatings showed more pronounced UV stabilization characteristics which could extend the service-life of the epoxy coating compared to other filler materials exposed to same environmental conditions.
b) The relatively minor decrease in the adhesion strength by ZnO containing coatings indicated its better mechanical integrity and UV resistant characteristics compared to coatings containing TiO₂, Fe₂O₃ and graphite filler materials.
c) The addition of antioxidants and photo-stabilizers in the epoxy coatings showed excellent resistance during aggressive salt spray test with negligibly minor loss in the adhesion strength without any blistering formation.

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to express their thanks for the financial support of grants to University of the Punjab, Lahore and Ecole des Mines, France.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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