Needle‐shaped anticorrosion pigments based on the ferrites of zinc, calcium and magnesium

PurposeThis paper seeks to synthesize needle‐shaped anticorrosion pigments based on the ferrites of Zn, Ca and Mg for metal protecting paints.Design/methodology/approachAnticorrosion pigments were synthesized from oxides or carbonates at hot temperatures. The following pigments were synthesized: ZnFe2O4, MgFe2O4, CaFe2O4, Mg0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4, and Ca0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4. The prepared pigments were characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction analysis, by measuring the distribution of particle size and by means of scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized anticorrosion pigments were used to formulate epoxy coatings with PVC = 10 per cent for the synthesized pigment and with the PVC/CPVC ratio = 0.3. The coatings were tested for physical‐mechanical properties and in corrosion atmospheres. The corrosion test results were compared with aluminium zinc phosphomolybdate.FindingsThe needle‐shaped particles were identified in the formulated pigments. It was found that all of the synthesized pigments had high anticorrosion efficiency comparable with that of Zn‐Al phosphomolybdate. The needle‐shaped particles markedly contributed to the advancement of the physical‐mechanical properties of epoxy coatings.Practical implicationsThe synthesized pigments can be conveniently used in coatings protecting metal bases against corrosion.Originality/valueThe application of the synthesized pigments with the needle‐shaped particles in anticorrosion paints protecting metals presents a new method. The benefit of the application and method of synthesizing anticorrosion pigments is that they do not contain heavy metals and are acceptable for the environment.