Effect of preparation temperature on the corrosion resistance of waterborne aluminum pigments

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the role of encapsulation temperature on the preparation of silica-encapsulated waterborne aluminium pigments. Design/methodology/approach The waterborne aluminium pigments were prepared with H2O2 as anchoring agent and siloxane used as precursors in pH = 9.0 medium at different temperatures. The anchorage and compactness of silicon which on aluminium surface were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption. The anticorrosion property was characterized by the volume of produced hydrogen as a function of time. Findings The effect of encapsulation temperature on anticorrosion property of aluminium pigments is reflected from the anchorage and the compactness of silica on aluminium surface. Furthermore, when encapsulation temperature is 45-50°C, the silica platelets uniformly anchored on the aluminium surface as a dense film, which show the best anticorrosion property. Lower and higher encapsulation temperatures cause the silica platelets to agglomerate rather than anchor on the aluminium surface, which is unfavourable for the anchorage and the formation of compact silica film. The use of product in waterborne coatings gives a higher glossiness than that of raw material. Research limitations/implications Only pH = 9.0 medium was explored, and the other pH medium could result in different optimum temperatures. Practical implications The investigation results provide theoretical basis for obtaining excellent waterborne aluminium pigments. Originality/value The method of investigating corrosion resistance mechanism of aluminium pigments based on anchorage and compactness is novel.