Study of properties of epoxy-Nb2O5 paint applied in chemical industry

Abstract

Corrosion is one of the main problems affecting the structures and equipment of the plant. The main cause is the operation and handling of highly oxidizing inputs, which are essential for the productive process. Prevention occurs through various techniques, with the industrial painting being one of the most used, considering its versatility, protector power and acceptable costs. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the properties of epoxy paint based on niobium, besides compare the epoxy-Nb2O5 paint with a high performance commercial paint that is used in industry. For that reason, tests as ultra micro hardness, Pull Off, accelerated corrosion tests, Salt Spray and humidity chamber were performed. Moreover, tests as total immersion and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were done. The coatings were tested aiming simulate severe environments using H2SO4 solutions in 20 % (m/v) and 40 % (m/v) concentrations and a solution of NaCl in 3.5 % (m/v) concentration. The ones based on Nb2O5 with thickness of 100 μm presented better results on mechanical tests, even though the ones with thickness of 300 μm presented better performance on corrosion tests. The tests also showed that the samples coated with epoxy- Nb2O5 paint exhibited superior behavior against corrosion than the epoxy commercial paint.