Preparation of Silica-Modified Epoxy Coating and Its Protective Performance on Steel Bars

doi:10.16552/j.cnki.issn1001-1625.2025.1002

Abstract

Abstract:

To enhance the comprehensive performance of epoxy resin （EP） coatings in steel reinforcement protection， this study addressed issues such as high brittleness， high porosity， and weak interfacial bonding.Nano-SiO₂ （NH₂-SiO₂） was modified by γ-aminopropyl triethoxysilane （γ-APS） to prepare amino functional nano-SiO₂， which was introduced into epoxy resin to prepare NH₂-SiO₂/EP composite coating.FTIR， TGA， and XPS analyses confirm successful modification： amino functional groups are successfully grafted on the surface of SiO₂ by chemical bonding， improving dispersion and interfacial compatibility of nanoparticles in epoxy matrix. SEM and EDS analysis reveal optimal coating density with uniform particle distribution at 3%（mass fraction） NH₂-SiO₂ content. Research indicates that the 3%-NH₂-SiO₂/EP composite coating exhibits approximately 75% higher tensile strength than pure epoxy resin， and the maximum load is 2.2 kN； while reducing coefficient of friction from 0.97 to 0.77， demonstrating significant wear resistance improvement. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） results indicate that the coating maintained impedance modulus is still above 1×10¹¹ Ω·cm² after 3 d immersion in 3.5%NaCl concrete simulated corrosion solution， showing excellent corrosion resistance. This study provides a theoretical basis for design and application of anti-corrosion coating for high performance steel bars.

Key words: epoxy resin, γ-APS, silica, surface modification, mechanical property, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, electrochemical impedance

CLC Number:

TL214⁺.6

KONG Shuo, GENG Yongjuan, LIU Yancen, LI Shaochun. Preparation of Silica-Modified Epoxy Coating and Its Protective Performance on Steel Bars[J]. BULLETIN OF THE CHINESE CERAMIC SOCIETY, 2026, 45(5): 1580-1590.

Figures/Tables 14

Fig.1 FTIR spectra and TGA curves of SiO2 and NH2-SiO2

Fig.2 XPS spectra of SiO2 and NH2-SiO2

Table 1 Surface element atomic percentage of SiO2 before and after modification

Item	Atom fraction/%
Item	S	O	C	N
SiO₂ surface	28.5	60.2	11.4	0
NH₂-SiO₂ surface	26.8	55.1	13.6	4.5

Fig.3 Changes of contact angle of SiO2/EP coating with different content and NH2-SiO2/EP coating with different content

Fig.4 Roughness of SiO2/EP coating and NH2-SiO2/EP coating with change of content

Fig.5 SEM images of composite coatings with different NH2-SiO2/EP content

Fig.6 EDS spectra of composite coatings with different NH2-SiO2/EP content

Fig.7 TGA results of EP coating， SiO2/EP coating and NH2-SiO2/EP coating

Fig.8 Friction and wear test results of coating under same test conditions

Fig.9 Tensile fracture curves of EP coating， SiO2/EP coating and NH2-SiO2/EP coating and maximum load

Fig.10 SEM images of fracture surfaces of EP coating， SiO2/EP coating， and NH2-SiO2/EP coating

Fig.11 EIS test curves of EP coating

Fig.12 EIS test curves of SiO2/EP coating

Fig.13 EIS test curves of NH2-SiO2/EP coating

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