Effects of conductive polymers type and

The objective of this work was to compare the anticorrosion effects of organic coatings containing zinc metal consisting of either lamellar particles or isometric particles and to reduce the zinc metal content of the coatings while preserving their high anticorrosion efficiency. The optimisation and Zn metal content reduction can be achieved using zinc with a lamellar particle shape and application of conductive polymers (CP). Conductive polymers are expected to enhance the electrochemical effect of zinc metal in paints. Organic coatings with lamellar zinc particles also exhibit better mechanical properties. Optimisation of the amount of zinc lamellar particles could promote a wider use of this material in anticorrosion paints. The conductive polymers used in this work included polyaniline phosphate, polyaniline benzoate, and carbonised polyaniline. A solvent-based epoxy–ester resin served as the binder. Model paints consisting of this resin and containing different concentrations of polyaniline phosphate, polyaniline benzoate, and carbonised polyaniline were prepared. The paints were tested at the critical pigment volume concentration (CPVC) of Zn dust and at lower Zn dust concentrations, specifically 2% below the CPVC.