A comparative study of the corrosion protective properties of Cr(VI) free conversion treatments

Abstract

The corrosion resistance of pure zinc coatings can be improved through the application of suitable chemical passivation treatments. Hexavalent chromium compounds have widely been used to formulate conversion layers providing better anticorrosive protection as well as anchorage properties to painting systems. However, taking into account that they are produced using hazardous chemical ingredients, the development of alternative and “green” technologies with equivalent protective performance is a paramount purpose of many R&D laboratories working around the world.