Hybrid epoxy–silane coatings for improved corrosion protection of Mg alloy

Highlights: ► Hybrid epoxy–silane coatings for corrosion protection of Mg alloy AZ31. ► Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to study the corrosion behavior. ► Very good corrosion protection after 1 month immersion in 0.05 M NaCl. ► Surface and chemical characterization to understand corrosion processes. ► Influence of organic structure in coatings corrosion performance. - Abstract: New hybrid epoxy–silane coatings, with added functionalities for improved performance and durability, were designed to increase the corrosion protection of magnesium alloys. The corrosion behavior of the coated AZ31 was studied through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.05 M NaCl. The morphology and surface chemistry of the samples were also investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) before and after immersion in the electrolyte. The new hybrid silane coatings showed a high resistance to corrosion that persisted throughout one-month immersion in a pH-neutral NaCl solution.