The development of low-temperature hardening silicone ceramer coatings for the corrosion protection of metals

The process parameters for the formulation of two different hybrid ceramic-polymer (ceramer), barrier-type coatings for the corrosion protection of metals are discussed. The coating formulations were characterized in the liquid, gel, and solid phases using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS), respectively. The coatings were applied to 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, hardened in ambient conditions, and analyzed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thermal stability of the coatings was analyzed in inert and oxidative atmosphere using thermogravimertic analysis. The final surface morphology was studied using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The nanoindentation technique supported by SEM revealed the nanomechanical properties of the coatings. The effectiveness as a barrier-type coating was studied using electrochemical polarization experiments and immersion experiments in saline solution.