Anticorrosive Performance of Polyester–melamine Coating Fortified with Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles

In this study, nanoparticle zinc ferrites with different particle sizes were synthesized via sol-gel method using ferric nitrate and zinc nitrate. The obtained gel was dried and calcined at three different temperatures (i.e. 500, 600 and 800 °C) for 2 h. Adequate amounts of the as-synthesized nanoparticle samples were then added to the mixture of polyester resin and formaldehyde resin. The obtained mixtures were applied on the surface of mild steel specimens, and then the corrosion behavior of the coated mild steel was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt spray. In addition, mechanical and thermal properties of the coating were evaluated using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The crystalline and chemical structures of the coatings were investigated using X–ray diffraction analysis and infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The results showed that not only the incorporation of nanoparticle zinc ferrites in the coating has no negative effects on curing, but also increased corrosion protective performance and mechanical properties of the coatings.