Developing a Benzimidazole-Silica-Based Hybrid Sol–Gel Coating with Significant Corrosion Protection on Aluminum Alloys 2024-T3

The inherent reactivity of Al–Cu–Mg alloys is such that their use for building structural, maritime, and airplane components with great strength/weight ratios would not be possible without good anti-corrosion systems. These systems could considered as imitations the protection mechanism found in conventional hexavalent chromium-based system, but additional limited environmental impact, particular toxic or carcinogenic effects. coatings also are intended to eco-friendly, using less valuable raw materials energy than more traditional methods. Silica-based hybrid protective have been shown exhibit excellent chemical stability combined ability reduce corrosion metal substrates. However, research shows sol–gel has some limitations terms period anti-corrosive properties. Therefore, this work reports performance a silica-based coating encapsulated benzimidazole (BZI) can applied light form an inherently inhibited crack-free coating. This was on AA 2024-T3 cured at 80 °C. high resistance results from combination adhesion, hydrophobic property coating, presence film-forming volatile inhibitor, which released pores within resulting film-forming, reducing reaction cathodic sites. evaluation based electrochemical testing techniques. properties were studied when immersed 3.5% NaCl by impedance spectroscopy (EIS) potential-dynamic polarization scanning (PDPS). confirmation performed infrared (ATR-FTIR), supported analyzing morphology surface before after immersion electron microscopy (SEM). benzimidazole-silica-based exhibited properties, providing adherent film aluminum alloy samples compared sol–gel-only bare metals, cost-effective eco-friendly system.