Development of Silane-Based Coatings with Zirconia Nanoparticles Combining Wetting, Tribological, and Aesthetical Properties

Silane-based coatings with nanoparticles have been widely used in applications related to surface protection. Between them, the improvement of corrosion resistance by increasing the hydrophobicity is one of the main research goals. However, most coatings present problems of low wear resistance and poor aesthetic appearance. Therefore, the overall goal of this research is to manufacture hydrophobic sol-gel coatings based on silanes which comply with good tribological and aesthetical properties. In the present study, stainless steel plates were coated with a silane-based solution containing zirconia nanoparticles by dip coating. Water–ethanol solutions with silanes (methyltrimethoxysilane (MTS) and tetrathoxysilane (TEOS)) and different percentages of ZrO2 nanoparticles were prepared. Gloss, color, contact angle, surface energy, wear resistance, and thickness of coating were analyzed to elucidate the effect of zirconium oxide on the performance of the coatings. Results demonstrate that the ZrO2–silane coatings on stainless steel offer a balanced combination of properties: low wettability, high wear resistance, and similar color and brightness compared to pristine stainless steel