Investigating the improvements in morphometric and mechanical properties of mild steel coated with polymer-based hybrid nano composites

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the coexistence of polymers and nanoparticles, demonstrating improved mechanical and corrosion resistance characteristics when applied to mild steel surfaces. For this investigation, various polymer-based hybrid nanocomposite combinations were considered. Combinations of nanomaterials, such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS), zinc oxide (ZnO), cerium oxide (CeO2), silicon oxide (SiO2), and graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO), as well as polymers including polyester, phenolic, epoxy, and polyurethane were employed. Mild steel samples covered with hybrid nano composites underwent 3.5% NaCl immersion and standard Salt Spray (Fog) test method ASTM B117:2016 to evaluate their corrosion resistant qualities. Tensile strength test (A370:2017) and hardness test [IS 101(Part-5, Sec.2):1988] were performed and determined the mechanical properties. An ideal proportion of polymer and nanoparticles combination that results in both enhanced mechanical and corrosion resistance characteristics was determined in this study. From the obtained results, epoxy resin has been exhibited a 97% corrosion resistance, with a 10% increase in tensile strength around 700 mg of surface hardness. The MSPS3 recorded with the highest of all the combination values of 89% corrosion resistance, 400 mg of surface scratch hardness and 25% increased tensile strength. In case of MZPU2, 80% corrosion resistance, 25% increased tensile strength with 600 mg of surface hardness. Whereas MGPH1 shown 69% anticorrosion, 600 mg of scratch hardness and 27% rise in tensile strength. With these outputs, this research can be applied to various materials for different engineering applications.