Corrosion protection of mild steel by superhydrophobic magnetite coating

Corrosion-resistant hydrophobic magnetite coatings on mild steel surfaces were developed by immersion method. The effect of steel surface roughness (R a ) on its hydrophobicity was systematically studied using contact angle measurement (CAM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The corrosion resistance of hydrophobic magnetite coatings was evaluated using a potentiodynamic polarization test. The durability of the coatings was assessed in air, tap water, and 3.5 wt% NaCl environments. Hydrophobic magnetite coating with a water contact angle of 146-152 degrees showed excellent resistance to corrosion, longevity in atmospheric air, and significant self-cleaning properties. The primary focus of this study was to develop a quick and simple immersion technique to create hydrophobic surfaces on mild steel. Results suggest that surface roughness plays a significant role in surface hydrophobicity, and enhancing the hydrophobicity of mild steel improves its corrosion resistance.