| Chromium-based coatings have been widely used to prevent corrosion on various metals such as steel and aluminium alloys.1 However, the environmental impacts and health hazards of these materials have led to a decrease in their use in the coatings industry.2;The coatings were tested to monitor the release of the inhibitors from the coating as well as the hardness and the effectiveness of the coating in preventing corrosion.;Different concentrations of the corrosion inhibitor were added to the sol-gel in order to produce the most efficient and durable coating. These coatings were then used to coat aluminium alloys and low carbon steel in order to provide a corrosion protection system for metals with a minimal environmental impact. The addition of the corrosion inhibitors added active corrosion protection to an already excellent passive corrosion protection system and the room temperature curing process increased the economic potential of the material.;A safe, environmentally friendly alternative to this health risk are silane-based organic coatings.3 In this research, a room temperature cured, epoxy-amine cross-linked sol-gel was utilized. This gel can be used to prevent corrosion on various metal substrates. The encapsulation of two different corrosion inhibitors within the system has been done in order to make a coating that can prevent corrosion even if the coating has become compromised. |
