Electrolytic deposition of super-smart composite coating of Zn-V2O5-NbO2 on low carbon steel for defence application

摘要

Despite the massive usages of low carbon steel in automobile for engineering components, its corrosion and high friction coefficient in aggressive environment make it limited in service. This paper is aimed at modifying low carbon steel structural component with thin film composite for enhanced mechanical and corrosion properties. The steel structure was electrodeposited with Zn-V_2 O_5 and embedded with varied NbO_2 weight concentration of 6-12 wt % based electrolyte. Scanning electron microscope(SEM) and high optical microscope was used to study the microstructural evolution of the fabricated coatings. The thermal stability of the fabricated coatings was studied in an isothermal furnace at 300 ℃ and 600 ℃ and further characterized using a high tech optical microscope. Potentiodynamic polarization technique was used to investigate the corrosion behavior of the composites in 3.65% NaCl. From the result, the effect of NbO_2 on Zn-V_2 O_5-NbO_2 was massive with improved crystal grain within the coatings lattices. The coating possesses strong metallurgical bonding and good corrosion resistance properties of about 0.315 mm/yr corrosion rate compare to 4.1 mm/yr of as-received sample. No doubt the impact of thermal shock on the resilient characteristics of the composite coating was moderate owing to the stable adherent properties of the deposited coatings.