Anticorrosive efficiency of ion‐exchanged bentonites in chlorinated rubber paints

PurposeIon‐exchange clays containing sodium such as bentonite and montmorillonite have the ability to exchange their cations. Few studies conducted with this type of ion‐exchange pigments are not conclusive about their anticorrosive efficiency. The present research aims to address the study on the anticorrosive efficiency of this type of pigments in chlorinated rubber paints. Sodium‐bentonite was exchanged with Zn, Sr and Zn‐Sr to be applied on low carbon steel specimens and study the anticorrosive performances of these new ion‐exchanged bentonites (IEBs) in anticorrosive paint formulations.Design/methodology/approachThe new pigments were characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) to determine the CEC (cation exchange capacity) of the different exchanged cations. Evaluation of the ion‐exchanged and Na‐bentonite pigments using international standard testing methods (ASTM) was estimated. Paint systems manufactured with these ion‐exchange pigments have been subjected to adhesion, accelerated corrosion laboratory tests, and EIS in order to assess their anticorrosive behaviour.FindingsThe results of this work revealed that the ion‐exchange bentonite (IEBs) pigments showed high anticorrosive performance that can be arranged as follows: Sr‐bentonite was better than Zn‐Bentonite and both were better than the double Zn‐Sr‐bentonite indicating an antagonism behaviour between the two cations when present together.Practical implicationsThese pigments can be applied in other polymer composites, e.g. rubber and plastics as reinforcing agent and fillers.Originality/valueThese prepared pigments are environmentally friendly pigments which impart high anticorrosive behaviour to paint films with great economic savings.