• Corrosion Science and Technology
• /
• v.6 no.5
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 2007

Corrosion protection of automotive steels has traditionally been assured by using a zinc phosphate metal pretreatment followed by the deposition of a cathodic electrocoat system. This system has been developed and optimized over the years into a highly robust and dependable system with a high performance. However, in terms of efficiency and use of resources and energy, the need is now felt to develop a simpler system with fewer steps, shorter lines, less energy requirements (curing and e-coat deposition) and less stringent waste disposal requirement (phosphate sludge). We report here on the development of a one-step system that can possibly replace both the zinc phosphate and the e-coating processes. Such a system is based on the so-called superprimer concept that we have recently developed for the replacement of chromate pretreatment and chromate-containing primers in the aerospace industry. With some modifications, such systems can also be adapted for use in the automotive industry.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.206-210
• /
• 2007

Aerospace aluminum alloys such as Al alloy 2024-T3 and 7075-T6 are subject to localized corrosion due the existence of intermetallics containing Cu, Mg or Zn. Chromate is currently widely used in the aerospace industry as the corrosion inhibitor for these alloys. However, chromate needs to be replaced due to its strong carcinogenicity. In this study, an extensive pigment screening has been performed to find replacements for chromates. Different categories of inhibitors were evaluated by immersion tests, DC polarization tests and other methods. Phosphates, zinc salts, cerium salts, vanadates and benzotriazole were found to be effective inhibitors for AA7075. Among those inhibitors, zinc phosphate was found to be the most effective in our novel, silane-based, one-step aqueous primer system. The performance of this primer is comparable to that of currently used chromate primers in accelerated corrosion tests, while it is completely chromate-free and its VOC is about 80% less than that of current primers. Studies by SEM/EDS showed that the unique structure of the superprimer accounts for the strong anti-corrosion performance of the zinc phosphate pigment. The self-assembled stratified double-layer structure of the superprimer is characterized by a less-penetrable hydrophobic layer at the top and a hydrophilic layer accommodating the inhibitors underneath. The top layer functions as the physical barrier against water ingress, while the lower layer functions as a reservoirfor the inhibitor, which is leached out only if the coating is damaged by a scratch or scribe. The presence of a silane in the primer further improves the adhesion and anti-corrosion performance of the primer.