Corrosion characterization of phosphated carbon steel treated with benzotriazole

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to show the corrosion effect of benzotriazole in comparison with iron phosphate (PFe) coating as a sealer for the PFe layer in carbon steel paint pre-treatment and to show its ecological advantages as a more environment-friendly inhibiting compound than PFe. Design/methodology/approach – Samples of carbon steel (SAE 1010) were phosphated in two baths, one containing iron PFe and PFe and BTAH (PFe + BTAH). Anodic potentiostatic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of phosphated carbon steel in 0.1 molL−1 H2SO4, 0.5 molL−1 NaCl and 0.1 molL−1 NaOH. The phosphate layers obtained were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Surface observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the PFe and PFe + BTAH layers are deposited as crystals with granular morphology. The electrochemical results showed that the PFe + BTAH coating was more effective in corrosion protection of the carbon steel. Findings – This paper presents the application of benzotriazole as post-treatment of PFe-coated carbon steel. The results show that benzotriazole improves the phosphate layer properties. The SEM micrographs showed that the layer formed in PFe and PFe + BTAH baths consists of grain-like crystals, and infrared results revealed the BTAH presence in PFe phosphate. The corrosion resistance results showed higher efficiency associated to the PFe + BTAH phosphate layer relative to that of PFe. From the present study, results can be concluded that BTAH can be used as a post-treatment for PFe phosphate coating. Originality/value – This paper deals with the corrosion resistance and surface carbon steel characterization of a new sealer for PFe coating, which has been prepared for this study and was never tested previously. These are candidate materials for substitution of chromium sealer. The BTAH sealer presents environmental and corrosion resistance advantages when compared with the post-treatment based on chrome. Although BTAH improves PFe layers’ properties, it is the worst phosphate coating. This manuscript has never been previously submitted and deals with original results.