Composite coating used in this work to protect carbon steel against corrosion in acidic environments
(i.e. HCl, H2SO4) provides an environmentally friendly solution instead of chromium or cadmium because
both chromium and cadmium are considered toxic metals. Taking into consideration that incorporation of Zn
and SiO2 into the sacrificial coatings decreases cost, density and enhancing corrosion resistance properties.
The corrosion properties of the base metal and coating system Zn-Ni-SiO2 and Zn-Ni-SiO2 (after heat
treatment) was investigated in 1% HCl at 55°C for 48 hours which revealed the following corrosion rate (2.25
mm/y, 0.17 mm/y and 0.16 mm/y respectively). On the other hand the values for corrosion current icorr. in 1%
H2SO4 at 45°C for 35 minute was 5.773E-4 A/cm2 and 2.27E-4 A/cm2 for Zn-Ni-SiO2 and Zn-Ni-SiO2
(after heat treatment) respectively while the corrosion current icorr. for base metal in 1% H2SO4 was 1.078E-2
A/cm2.
Keywords: electrocomposite coating , corrosion resistance.