Corrosion protection of mild steel by superhydrophobic magnetite coating

Abstract

Corrosion-resistant hydrophobic magnetite coatings on mild steel surfaces were developed by immersion method. The effect of steel surface roughness (Ra) on its hydrophobicity was systematically studied using contact angle measurement (CAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The corrosion resistance of hydrophobic magnetite coatings was evaluated using a potentiodynamic polarization test. The durability of the coatings was assessed in air, tap water, and 3.5 wt% NaCl environments. Hydrophobic magnetite coating with a water contact angle of 146-152° showed excellent resistance to corrosion, longevity in atmospheric air, and significant self-cleaning properties. The primary focus of this study was to develop a quick and simple immersion technique to create hydrophobic surfaces on mild steel. Results suggest that surface roughness plays a significant role in surface hydrophobicity, and enhancing the hydrophobicity of mild steel improves its corrosion resistance.