Pretreatment using Cr (VI), has been used for a long time to protect materials such as electroplated zinc and zinc alloy coatings; however, the Cr (VI) passivation method is toxic to the environment and to human beings and is being eliminated according to European Directives [2000/53/EC]. In this context, new alternative technologies have been studied and developed. The deposition of thin films containing silanes appears as one of these alternatives to increase the corrosion resistance of zinc alloys. In this article, films containing the γ-UPS silane (ureidopropyltrietoxysilane) were applied on these substrates with zinc. The different systems silane/substrates were then evaluated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in 0,1M NaCl solution to verify the electrochemical characteristics of them. Photoelectric Emission Spectroscopy of X-rays (XPS) was used to quantify the silicon (Si) existent in the films. The results indicate that the systems studied depend on the metallic substrate. The UPS / ZnFe showed higher efficiency for barrier against corrosion. Data obtained from EIS were modeled by an equivalent electric circuit, allowing the determination of electrochemical parameters.
-UPS; EIS; zinc-iron alloy; corrosion
