Microstructure and corrosion resistance of inorganic-organic (ZrO2-PMMA) hybrid coating on stainless steel

Zirconia-polymethylmetacrylate hybrids prepared by a sol-gel method were de posited by dip-coating on stainless steel to improve the resistance against wet corrosion. The effect of the concentration of polymethylmetacrylate an d the number of coating applications on the microstructure and corrosion pe rformance of coated samples was investigated. The microstructural propertie s of samples was analyzed by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, adhesion tests and profilemeter measurements. The electrochemical corrosio n was evaluated through potentiodynamic polarization curves at room tempera ture. Results show that the sample prepared with 17 vol.% of polymethylmeth acrylate has a maximum corrosion resistance, smaller roughness, are hermeti c and adherent to the substrate. This film increases the life time of the s tainless steel by a factor 30. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.