Comparative Study of Metal Powder Addition into Epoxy Coating on Corrosion Rate Prediction of ASTM A36 Steel

In the maritime industry, steel is crucial for construction, such as low carbon steel or mild steel. However, steel is prone to corrosion due to environmental exposure and usage over time. Corrosion can damage metal materials and compromise the integrity of critical components. Coating is the most common method to protect steel from corrosion because of its effectiveness and ease of application. Adding organic or inorganic pigments like magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃), aluminium (Al), and zinc oxide (ZnO) to epoxy coatings can enhance corrosion resistance and durability. This study aims to predict corrosion rates and identify the optimal metal powder among these three for epoxy coating on ASTM A36 steel. The method involved varying pigment weight compositions with paint, specifically 1% and 10% of the total paint volume used, and using a coating thickness of 250 µm. Corrosion rates were tested using a three-electrode cell. The lowest corrosion rate was found in the specimen with 10% magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) addition, measuring 0.019984 mmpy, while the highest rate was in the specimen without additives, at 0.65124 mmpy. The study concludes that the addition of magnesium carbonate (MgCO₃) powder results in the most optimal corrosion resistance compared to other metal powders.