Sol-gel coatings for chemical protection of stainless steel

Sol-gel thin coatings of ZrO2, SiO2, 70SiO2-30TiO2 and 88SiO2-12Al2O3 compositions (mole %) have been prepared from sonocatalyzed sols and deposited by dip-coating technique on 316L stainless steel foils. The influence of the coatings on the chemical corrosion of the substrate has been measured through potentiodynamic polarization curves in aqueous 15% H2SO4 solution between 25 and 50°C. The values of the corrosion potential, polarization resistance and corrosion rate have been determined. Analysis of the data combined with scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that the films act as a geometric blocking against exposure to the corrosive media and increase the lifetime of the substrate up to a factor 8.5