Microstructure and corrosion resistance of ceramic coating on carbon steel prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Ceramic coating was prepared on Q235 carbon steel by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The microstructure of the coating including phase composition, surface and cross-section morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion behavior of the coating was evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution through electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization and open-circuit potential (OCP) techniques. The bonding strength between Q235 carbon steel substrate and the ceramic coating was also tested. The results indicated that PEO coating is a composite coating composed of FeAl2O4 and Fe3O4. The coating surface is porous and the thickness is about 100 μm. The bonding strength of the coating is about 19 MPa. The corrosion tests showed that the corrosion resistance of Q235 carbon steel could be greatly improved with FeAl2O4–Fe3O4 composite coating on its surface.