ABSTRACT
Powder coatings are widely applied for corrosion protection of steel, aluminum, and hot dip galvanized steel in a variety of corrosive environments. Powder coatings are subjected to a number of strict laboratory tests to determine their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and color stability. Among European quality certificates for powder coatings applied to galvanized steel, the most commonly recognized are GSB-ST and Qualisteelcoat certificates, which also refer to the EN 13438 standard. Certificates of quality for powder coatings are constantly updated according to the latest research results and experience of specialists operating in the field of corrosion protection. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of how the required length of selected accelerated corrosion tests can affect the final assessment of powder coatings. On the example of two powder painting systems: polyester as well as based on epoxy and polyester resins, the paper presents the influence of the time of accelerated corrosion tests: ISO 6270, ISO 9227 (Neutral Salt Spray and Acetic Acid Salt Spray), and ISO 3231 on the protective properties of the coatings. The results of damage assessment according to ISO 4628 have been correlated with the requirements of particular quality specifications. Additionally, based on FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) analyses, the influence of the applied corrosion tests on the degradation degree of the coatings studied has been presented. The paper aims to present a tests for those powder coating systems applied to facilities for which the main requirement is corrosion resistance rather than aesthetics.
ABSTRACT
The first steel with improved resistance towards atmospheric corrosion, the so-called weathering steel, was patented in the USA in 1933 and was initially used for coal railway cars, and after that, in building and bridge engineering. Weathering steels show higher corrosion resistance than carbon steels in many types of atmosphere due to their ability to form a compact, stable, adherent and protective patina during the time of exposure. Morphological evaluation of the appearance of the corrosion product layer, together with phase analysis of its components, can enable determination of the type of patina and the degree of protection of the steel. To support the visual assessment of a patina, a check based on the qualitative and quantitative phase analysis of its components may be carried out, and the PAI (Protective Ability Index) can be calculated. The estimation of the corrosion processes on original Polish-made weathering steel (12HNNbA) was carried out on a 30-year-old bridge in Poland. There are some structural problems within the deck derived not only from corrosion but also steel cracking, both inside and outside the boxes, at different heights. Fourteen representative samples of patina were analysed and their phase structures were determined by the X-ray powder diffraction method. The PAIs were determined and analysed.
