Enhancement of silane coating protective performance by using a polydimethylsiloxane additive

This work intends to study the effect of a polydimethylsiloxane additive on the protection performance of a hybrid silane coating on mild steel. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization and electrochemical noise measurements and salt spray showed an increase in corrosion resistance of the silane coating in the presence of the additive. Silane films were examined by FTIR, water droplet contact angle, Vickers hardness and SEM. Results showed decrease in crosslinking density in the presence of the additive. Superior corrosion protection in the presence of additive was attributed to the enhanced hydrophobic character and flexibility of the coating. (C) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.