Abstract
Polymer coatings have been widely applied as surface treatments for various metallic materials. The role of polymer coatings has generally been to provide a barrier against corrosion species in order to protect the surface of metallic materials from corrosive attack. One of the most important characteristics required of the coatings is the ability to self heal so that the damaged surface is automatically repaired by a chemical component of the coating. In the present study, multi-layer coatings consisting of superabsorbent fibers and vinyl-ester polymers were applied to carbon steel to prevent corrosion. The polarization resistance of a scratched specimen was monitored in a corrosive solution. The polarization resistance of a 3-layer coating, which consisted of a mixed polymer as the middle layer and a vinyl-ester polymer as the base and top layers, increased with time, resulting in a self-healing corrosion inhibition capability. A film, which consisted of spherical particles, was found on the scratched surface of a substrate. The film may have prevented the diffusion of oxygen to the scratched.
