Green graphene additives enhance the performance of anticorrosive bitumen coatings.
Bitumen coatings tackle corrosion on carbon steel but face scrutiny over sustainability concerns. As a result, researchers are turning to green graphene (GG) as a sustainable additive alternative for these coatings, offering high mechanical and anticorrosive performance.
You can also read: Advances in Sustainable Polymer-Based Anticorrosive Coatings.
Carbon steel plays a crucial role in construction and fluid transportation. However, in marine environments, corrosion undermines its performance, leading to high maintenance costs and jeopardizing structural safety. Engineers have used bitumen coatings with inorganic additives to protect carbon steel for years. As demand for sustainable solutions rises, researchers are exploring more eco-friendly alternatives to conventional additives.
A study from India offers one of the most innovative solutions. Researchers propose using green graphene (GG), derived from agricultural waste, as an additive in anticorrosive bitumen coatings. This approach promises to combine sustainability with high performance.
GG acts as a sustainable replacement for traditional inorganic corrosion inhibitors. It delivers impressive mechanical, thermal, and anticorrosive properties while meeting environmental standards. By promoting circularity in both the agricultural sector and the coatings industry, the production of GG supports eco-friendly practices. Moreover, adding GG to bitumen coatings enhances key properties, such as hydrophobicity and nano-hardness, which boost resistance against corrosion and abrasion.
Researchers prepared various samples to assess the performance of green graphene (GG) additives in bitumen coatings. The findings revealed that bitumen coatings with 2.5% by weight of GG reduced the corrosion rate by 99.5% compared to uncoated carbon steel. Potentiodynamic polarization tests confirmed that these coatings provided significantly better corrosion resistance than pure bitumen coatings. Furthermore, incorporating GG into the bitumen matrix improved the water contact angle (WCA), enhancing water repellency. Specifically, the WCA increased by 27.45% for a 2.5% concentration and by 49.15% for a 5% concentration. This shows reduced water absorption and greater hydrophobic properties.
The image compares the anticorrosive properties of uncoated steel, pure bitumen coatings, and bitumen coatings enhanced with GG additives. Figure (A) illustrates the corrosion rates, revealing a significant reduction for bitumen coatings with 2.5% GG. Figure (B) highlights the improvement in the water contact angle (WCA) with the incorporation of GG, demonstrating enhanced water repellency. Courtesy of Sustainable additives for anticorrosive bitumen coatings on carbon steel under marine environment: Harnessing remnant agricultural biomass-derived green Graphene.
Green graphene also strengthens the nano-hardness of the coatings. At a 2.5% concentration, the nano hardness increased by 312.5%, further enhancing the coatings’ ability to resist mechanical damage.
The figure illustrates the nano-hardness of pure bitumen coatings compared to those enhanced with GG additives. The 2.5% GG concentration shows the highest improvement in nano-hardness. Courtesy of Sustainable additives for anticorrosive bitumen coatings on carbon steel under marine environment: Harnessing remnant agricultural biomass-derived green Graphene.
You can also read: CFRP Patch Approved for Offshore Platform Corrosion Repairs
In summary, bitumen coatings with green graphene additives provide an effective and sustainable solution for corrosion protection in marine environments. This technology promises significant maintenance cost savings, greater structural safety, and reduced dependence on non-renewable resources.
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