Study on a Novel Recyclable Anticorrosion Gel Coating Based on Ethyl Cellulose and Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Abstract

In this paper, ethyl cellulose, thermoplastic polyurethane, and mineral oil were used as the main raw materials to synthesize a recyclable thermoplastic gel for anticorrosion coatings by a hot melt method. In addition, the effect of thermoplastic polyurethane on the properties of the coating was discussed. The structure and corrosion protection properties of the coating were characterized and analyzed by a scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, salt spray test, and electrochemical measurements. The results show that the ethyl cellulose and oil in the coating can form a stable organic-gel structure by hydrogen bonding, and the mineral oil and castor oil are uniformly dispersed in the coating. The surface of the coating does not change after 3000 h of a salt spray test. During the repeated hot melting spraying and immersion in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for five times, the electrochemical impedance modulus of the coating was always above 109 Ω⋅cm2, the water absorption rate was always less than 1.5 wt.%, and the mechanical properties of the coating did not decrease. This novel coating could be used for the corrosion protection of flange and valve connections in pipeline and bolting connections in different industries. The disassembly and assembly operation of these connection structures during the regular maintenance will destroy the ordinary anticorrosion coating, and the irregular geometric shape of such places also make difficulties for the preparation of ordinary coatings onsite.