Evaluation of “Rust Converter Paint” Mechanism Under Simulated Field Condition

Rust Converter (RC) Paint is a surface tolerant paint which is claimed that can be function as one of corrosion protection on metal surface. RC Paint provide the protection from corrosion by converting the unstable rust (Fe2O3) into stable form or called Magnetite (Fe3O4). The unclear information regarding conversion theory especially in the extreme environment such as at the field condition cause the RC Paint is not widely used in the industries. Hence, this project is conducted in order to identify and characterize the conversion product of the RC at the simulated field condition, and the result will be compared with the standard theory of other RC Paint. The samples then undergo pre-rusting for 7 days after cleaned using sandblasting in order to control the rust on the samples before treated with RC Paint. Simulated field condition for this experiment is the variation of temperature and moisture which are samples are put in dry condition at room temperature (RT), immersed in RT, dry in 40 ˚C, immersed in 40 ˚C and immersed in 60 ˚C of 3.5% NaCl solution. All the samples were characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersion X-ray (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). As the result, the magnetite form only appeared after 4 weeks treatment for all samples except for samples in dry 40 ˚C and 60 ˚C. Therefore, conversion rate of RC Paint to convert unstable rust increase when the temperatures were increased and the moisture is low. This project also shows the RC Paint used have almost similar result with the other RC Paint theory which convert the unstable rust (Fe2O3) to hematite, and continue the reaction until reach the magnetite (Fe3O4) form.