The latest article by researchers from India published in Materials Science and Engineering B examined how bifunctional silicon carbide (SiC) nanostructures affected the electrochemical and tensile characteristics of silicon carbide/epoxy hybrid composite.
Study: Superior barrier, hydrophobic and mechanical properties of multifunctional nanocomposite coatings on brass in marine environment. Image Credit: Quisquilia/Shutterstock.com
Industrial Utilization of Brass
Brass is a metal alloy composed of zinc and copper. For a variety of reasons, it is among the most prominent and commonly utilized metals.
Brass is a pliable and conducting metal widely used in electric wires. Furthermore, it is most commonly employed in aesthetic and industrial uses.
Brass is typically used in applications that need smooth surfaces because of its special attributes, which include resistance to corrosion.
It is frequently employed in technical applications ranging from bullet casings for an M-16 assault weapon to common valves and gearboxes, and brass tools are renowned for having a longer life and require less honing.
Features of Copper Alloys and Brass
Owing to their outstanding physiochemical qualities, copper, and copper alloys, are widely employed in many manufacturing plants, particularly in the electrical and mechanical industries.
When exposed to a harsh atmosphere, the production of copper's defensive oxides helps prevent erosion to some degree.
When subjected to the aquatic environment, the copper dissolves due to the creation of cuprous ions. Copper and copper alloys are covered with polymers to preserve them against oxidation.
The primary disadvantage of the polymer coating is the creation of pores as a result of non-uniform covering. The holes speed up the deterioration of the covered metal. Nanofillers are widely utilized to increase the covering efficiency of polymers.
Importance of Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles
To prevent brass oxidation, a variety of organic chemicals were utilized.
Because of its low density and excellent strength, silicon carbide nanoparticle is regarded as one of the finest nanoscale materials utilized as protective coatings among various nanoparticles.
Silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles have higher thermal conductivity, excellent durability, high crystallinity, strong resistance to abrasion, and a low coefficient of thermal expansion coefficient.
At elevated heat, these nanoparticles are also corrosion-resistant. SiC nanostructures are usually inert. They are made responsive by the use of organic molecules.
There have been few publications on the corrosion-resistant efficacy of altered SiC with any organic component inserted into epoxies on metals.
Epoxy Nanocomposites as Coating Materials
Owing to their outstanding thermal and chemical characteristics, SiC-incorporated epoxy nanocomposites are among the finest coating materials for commercial processes.
Poly (o-anisidine)/SiC has been included in the epoxy coating, and the composite material-coated surfaces displayed strong resistance to corrosion.
The surface treatment of polymeric materials by nanoparticles was discovered to improve the polymers' characteristics. It has also been claimed that in situ polymerization may be used to produce.
The combination resulted in a composite with better protective qualities than poly (o-ethoxy aniline). As a result, SiC treated with any nitrogen-containing polymer improved the resistance to corrosion qualities of epoxy resin.
Modification of Silicon Carbide
SiC is changed with a heterocyclic organic molecule that contains a bifunctional member, such as thiol (–SH) or amine (–NH2).
The pair of electrons allows for greater interaction with SiC and the creation of a powerful bond with the surface. The chemically altered SiC that results is disseminated individually in the epoxy coating.
Research Findings
With an optimal concentration of 2 wt percent SiC nanoparticles, electrical measurements revealed outstanding corrosion-resistant efficacy and a lowered corrosion potential frequency.
The results showed that the reactive SiC nanoparticles distributed evenly slowed the transmission of corrosive ions to the metal specimen and coatings surface via the bending path and reduced electron mobility.
SECM measurements corroborated the identification of the least flow at the coated alloy's damaged region.
SEM analysis revealed that the reactive SiC nanoparticles are spread evenly. The strong bond between the reactive SiC and the epoxy matrix resulted in better physical qualities and a defectless condensed layer.
It was discovered that the strengthening of responsive SiC nanoparticles in epoxy resins produced a clean nanoscale layer, resulting in enhanced corrosion resistance.
To summarize, the foregoing results showed that the coverings on brass provided excellent wear resistance, water repellence, and mechanical properties in a marine ecosystem over a lengthy period.
Reference
Xavier, J. R., Vinodhini, S. P. & Beryl, J. R., (2022) Superior barrier, hydrophobic and mechanical properties of multifunctional nanocomposite coatings on brass in marine environment. Materials Science and Engineering: B, 2788. 115637. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921510722000344?via%3Dihub
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