Optimizing the Corrosion Protection Performance Of Epoxy Coatings for Cu Substrates: An Electrochemical Perspective

Abstract

Saline water triggers the inevitable progression of corrosion risk in marine equipment, driven by spontaneous electrochemical reactions. This study used dip coating technique to prepare copper (Cu) substrates coated with epoxy resin. The study aimed to determine the optimal coating curing temperature and the epoxy-hardener ratio to exhibit maximum corrosion resistance for the epoxy-coated Cu. A comprehensive analysis of the curing temperature within the designated 40 to 120°C range and molarity of 0.6M-1.8M was conducted. The corrosion response of Cu substrates was evaluated using the electrochemical measurements of linear polarization resistance (LPR), potentiodynamic curve, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The study reveals that the corrosion resistance (Rc) notably increases until reaching its peak at the optimal temperature value of 90°C and epoxy-hardener ratio of 2:1.  Furthermore, a correlation between corrosion rate and molarity increased results in the deterioration of the coated surface.