Research Article

Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments

Volume: 12 Number: 4 December 31, 2025

Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments

Abstract

Corrosion poses a significant challenge in many industries. Among the various methods for corrosion protection, conversion coatings and powder coatings are widely adopted due to their effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Conversion coatings not only enhance corrosion resistance but also prepare the surface for subsequent finishing processes. In this study, two types of conversion coatings, iron phosphate and zirconium-based, were applied to DD12 steel substrates. Following the coating process, samples were finished with electrostatic powder coating and subjected to two industry-standard corrosion tests: the ISO 9227 neutral salt spray test (up to 400 hours) and the VDA 233-102 cyclic corrosion test (up to three weeks). Samples treated with iron phosphate coatings had thinner and less uniform paint layers compared to those with zirconium-based treatments. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that iron phosphate coatings form larger, irregular grains, while the zirconium-based coatings produced finer and more evenly distributed grains. These structural differences influenced performance: samples with iron phosphate coatings showed better corrosion resistance and paint adhesion during the salt spray test but performed worse in the cyclic test. In contrast, samples with zirconium-based coatings exhibited superior performance in the VDA test but were less effective in the NSS test, suggesting a lower ability to maintain protective qualities under constant salt exposure. Contact angle measurements indicated that zirconium-based coatings led to lower angles, pointing to higher surface energy and potentially stronger adhesion between the powder coating and the metal surface. Cross-sectional SEM images reinforced these results, showing more significant cracking and corrosion in the iron phosphate-coated samples, whereas the zirconium-treated samples had far fewer such defects.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Corrosion

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

August 7, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 24, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 4

APA
Dayınlarlı, M. Y., & Gök, A. (2025). Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation, 12(4), 966-978. https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1760258
AMA
1.Dayınlarlı MY, Gök A. Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments. GU J Sci, Part A. 2025;12(4):966-978. doi:10.54287/gujsa.1760258
Chicago
Dayınlarlı, Mustafa Yiğit, and Abdülkerim Gök. 2025. “Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel With Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation 12 (4): 966-78. https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1760258.
EndNote
Dayınlarlı MY, Gök A (December 1, 2025) Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation 12 4 966–978.
IEEE
[1]M. Y. Dayınlarlı and A. Gök, “Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments”, GU J Sci, Part A, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 966–978, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.54287/gujsa.1760258.
ISNAD
Dayınlarlı, Mustafa Yiğit - Gök, Abdülkerim. “Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel With Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation 12/4 (December 1, 2025): 966-978. https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1760258.
JAMA
1.Dayınlarlı MY, Gök A. Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments. GU J Sci, Part A. 2025;12:966–978.
MLA
Dayınlarlı, Mustafa Yiğit, and Abdülkerim Gök. “Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel With Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments”. Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation, vol. 12, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 966-78, doi:10.54287/gujsa.1760258.
Vancouver
1.Mustafa Yiğit Dayınlarlı, Abdülkerim Gök. Corrosion Performance of Epoxy Powder-Coated DD12 Steel with Iron Phosphate and Zirconium-Based Conversion Coating Pretreatments. GU J Sci, Part A. 2025 Dec. 1;12(4):966-78. doi:10.54287/gujsa.1760258