The influence of a Zr-based conversion treatment on interfacial bonding strength and stability of epoxy coated carbon steel

The effect of a zirconium (Zr)-based pretreatment on interfacial bonding properties of a fusion bonded epoxy (FBE) coating on carbon steel is investigated. The initiation and kinetics of delamination of epoxy coatings applied on differently pretreated carbon steel surfaces is studied with scanning Kelvin probe (SKP). In-situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is applied to study interfacial coating-oxide chemistry changes upon electrolyte diffusion towards the buried interface. Corresponding coating degradation is analyzed with the use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). pull off experiments showed a clear beneficial effect of the Zr-based pretreatment improving the dry and wet adhesion properties of the fusion bonded epoxy coating to the carbon steel surface particularly upon exposure to wet and corrosive conditions. This increase in interfacial bonding stability is confirmed by the ATR-FTIR and EIS experiments and delayed and slower delamination was observed in the SKP measurements.