Effect of MTMO silane concentration on electrogalvanized steel in the protection against corrosion

ABSTRACT Superficial pretreatments based on silanes are one of the prominent alternatives to replace chromates as temporary protectors from the action of aggressive environments to metallic substrates. The barrier effect afforded by the silane film makes porosity, thickness and film homogeneity important issues in the protective effect. In the present work, the influence of the concentration and amount of layers of mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MTMO) applied on electrogalvanized steel on its corrosion behavior was evaluated. Before silane application the substrate was degreased by immersion in toluene for 2 min at 40 ºC. The surface sample was activated by immersion in NaOH 10% p/v and applying a cathodic current density of 0,12 A/cm2, the temperature was controlled at 40 ºC. MTMO was prepared adding 2 or 4 % v/v of MTMO to a distilled water/methanol (3:2v/v, pH adjusted to 4 with acetic acid), and hydrolyzed for 60 min; some samples were coated with 1 layer of MTMO and others with 2 layers. All the coatings were cured at 80 ºC for 10 min. The coating’s porosity was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and reaction to copper sulphate, its thickness and morphology by SEM-EDS and the corrosion behavior by polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and exposure into a temperature and humidity controlled-chamber. The results showed that the protective capacity afforded by 2 layers of MTMO is higher than that obtained by raising the silane concentration. Besides, the variables under study affect the morphology and the thickness of the protective layer.