Corrosion resistance of epoxy coating filled with surface modified flaky aluminum pigment

Flaky aluminium pigments were modified with cerium oxide/hydroxide and their effect on the corrosion protection properties of an epoxy coating was studied on the steel substrate. The surface chemistry of the modified aluminum flakes was investigated by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Also, the surface morphology of the unmodified and modified pigments exposed to 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution was investigated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Anticorrosion performance of the epoxy composites was investigated by EIS and salt spray tests. Results revealed that deposition of cerium oxide/hydroxide on the flaky aluminium pigments enhanced the corrosion resistance of the epoxy coating much greater than the unmodified one. Cerium conversion layer enhanced the corrosion resistance of the flaky aluminum pigment.