Optimised silica-based hybrid coatings for the protection of aluminum
Sol–gel hybrid coatings have become one of the dominant platforms intended for anticorrosion applications. In a new study, hybrid (silica/epoxy) ceramic coatings were designed and prepared using the sol–gel technique.
3-Glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (epoxy) were used as the main precursors, while 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane was involved as a coupling agent (linker) in different ratios along with diethylenetriamine as a tertiary hardener responsible for the hybrids curing.
Improvements could be witnessed by increasing the silica content
It was proven that the morphology of the product would vary in a great deal depending on the silica content, which plays a vital role in determining the mechanical and thermal properties of these coatings. Improvements could be witnessed by increasing the silica content up to a specific limit (ranging from 15 to 20%). However, a further increase in the silica content will lead to a noticeable drop in the corrosion resistance capability.
The study has been published in Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology volume 94 (2020).
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