Investigation of Corrosion Resistance in Powder-Coated 6060 Aluminum Alloy: Effects of Powder Coating and Pre-Anodizing Followed by Powder Coating

Abstract

This study investigates the corrosion resistance of EN AW 6060 aluminum alloy powder-coated samples, with and without pre-anodizing treatment. The samples were exposed to a 3.5% NaCl solution, which is known for its strong corrosive effects, and their corrosion behavior was evaluated using two electrochemical techniques: Potentiodynamic Polarization and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The aim was to assess the effectiveness of powder coatings in enhancing corrosion resistance and to examine the role of surface preparation and prior treatments. Polarization tests provided corrosion current densities and corrosion rates, while EIS data were analyzed using equivalent electrical circuits to evaluate the integrity of the protective layers. The results show that powder coatings significantly improves corrosion resistance compared to uncoated aluminum and the combination of pre-anodizing followed by painting offers the highest protection. These findings confirm the improved performance achieved through multilayer surface treatments and support the application of powder coatings acting as a durable barrier against environmental factors.