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Morphology and corrosion resistance of Cr(III)-based conversion treatments for electrogalvanized steel

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Abstract

The effectiveness of Cr(VI)-based passivation treatments is well accepted but there are many problems with regard to their environmental suitability. Because these compounds are carcinogenic and toxic, eco-friendly systems capable of replacing them are being evaluated. In this work, the corrosion behavior in 0.5 M NaCl solution of zinc coatings deposited from a free-cyanide alkaline bath and treated with Cr3+ based passivation coatings were characterized through DC and EIS techniques. The salt spray test as well as studies of the surface structure and chemical composition were also performed. From these analyses it was inferred that (1) the green-colored Cr3+ passivated coatings provide better corrosion resistance than the yellow- and blue-colored coatings, and (2) together with an adequate painting system, they could be a less polluting and less toxic alternative to traditional chromate coatings.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge FAPERJ (Process E-26/152.259/2003), FINEP (Process n. 22.01.0752.00) of Brazil, and Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC) and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) of Argentina for their financial support to this research, and IPT, of Brazil, for preparing the samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Corrosion and Degradation Division, National Institute of Technology, Av. Venezuela, 82 sala 608, CEP 20081-312, Río de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

    C. R. Tomachuk & O. B. Ferraz

  2. CIDEPINT, Research and Development Center in Paint Technology (CIC-CONICET - La Plata), Av. 52 s/n entre 121 y 122, CP B1900AYB, La Plata, Argentina

    C. I. Elsner & A. R. Di Sarli

Authors
  1. C. R. Tomachuk
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  2. C. I. Elsner
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  3. A. R. Di Sarli
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  4. O. B. Ferraz
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Correspondence to A. R. Di Sarli.

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Tomachuk, C.R., Elsner, C.I., Di Sarli, A.R. et al. Morphology and corrosion resistance of Cr(III)-based conversion treatments for electrogalvanized steel. J Coat Technol Res 7, 493–502 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-009-9213-1

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