The Effect of Different Percentages of Functionalized Graphite Nano-Platelets on Corrosion Resistance Performance of Zinc Rich Epoxy Coatings.

In this research, the effect of functionalized graphite nano-platelets (FGNP) on improvement of corrosion
protection of zinc rich epoxy coating in different percentages of FGNP and zinc powder were investigated.
TEM and SEM analysis, salt spray, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Pull- off adhesion and cathodic
delamination tests were used for evaluation of the coatings. The results showed that FGNP is able to enhance
the cathodic protection duration of ZRP from 14 days up to 42 days. Also, due to its lamellar structure, and
regular arrangements in nano-coating, FGNP is able to increase the second stage of ZRP corrosion protection
(barrier protection). The adhesion test results showed FGNP has a significant effect on adhesion strength
enhancement and by limiting OH- contents under layer the nano-coating enhances the cathodic delamination
resistance. So the service life of the nano- coating is increased. The best results were obtained for zinc rich
coating contains 75% of zinc dust with 0.75% wt of FGNP.