The structure and corrosion properties of polyester-clay nanocomposite coatings and effect of curing on coatings properties

In this paper, structure and morphology of powder coatings created by electrostatic spraying method and also the corrosion protection properties of these coatings, were investigated. For this purpose, 5%Wt nanoclay was embedded in polyester matrix using different and continuous mixing methods. Fabricated nanocomposite powder and pure polyester powder were applied on the carbon steel by electrostatic spraying method. Morphology and structure of nanoclay was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM and TEM micrograph showed lamellar structure of nanoclay. Also the morphology and structure of the created coatings were analyzed by SEM. The results of SEM for coatings showed that the nanocomposite coatings have less pores and are more compact than pure coatings. The corrosion properties of coatings were investigated by immersion test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Corrosion test results showed that the corrosion resistance of the nanocomposite coatings have increased about 30 times than pure coatings