Corrosion and erosion behaviour of TiC-TiB 2 reinforced epoxy coatings

This research investigates the impact of incorporating titanium carbide (TiC) and titanium diboride (TiB2) particles into epoxy coatings to enhance corrosion and erosion resistance. The targeted particles were synthesised by subjecting boron and titanium carbide powders to mechanical alloying for a duration of 20 hours. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the successful formation of titanium diboride and titanium carbide particles. Subsequently, ceramic particles were integrated into the epoxy at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.%, and the resultant coatings were applied to steel samples through an immersion method. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests on the samples demonstrated a positive influence of TiC + TiB2 particles on enhancing the corrosion resistance of the coatings, with the 15 wt.% concentration exhibiting superior corrosion resistance compared to other formulations. Employing the Box–Behnken method, 13 samples were designed and subjected to erosion testing. The findings revealed that the coating containing 15 wt.% TiC + TiB2 particles exhibited the lowest erosion rate. Moreover, an increase in the speed and angle during the erosion test correlated with a rise in the erosion rate.