Studies on the preparation, characterization and corrosion behaviour of injection molded 316L steel electrochemically coated by poly(trans[dichloro(4-vinilpyridine)ruthenium]

Abstract

The present work describes the studies on corrosion of powder injection molded 316L stainless steel potentiostatically coated by poly{trans[RuCl2(vpy)4]} where vpy (4- vinylpyridine) acts as ligand. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled to an Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX) characterized the coated electrodes. Anodic polarization tests were performed in 3% NaCl to estimate the anodic dissolution current density of the electrode coated by the polymeric material. In addition, the specimens were exposed to salt spray and acid rain simulated environment. The microestrutural analysis indicated that the films were approximately 58 μm thick. Cyclic voltammetry experiments were carried out in 0.1M HTBA/methyl isobutyl ketone solution. The results revealed a scan rate dependent wave corresponding to a Ru2+/Ru3+ redox reaction, thus confirming the presence of ruthenium as metallic center in the polymer backbone. Pitting corrosion was observed in coated specimens only after thirty days of exposure to salt spray and after two days of exposure to acid rain simulated environment.