Surface characteristics of structural steel processed using electro-plasma techniques

Electro-plasma cleaning and deposition (EPCAD) is a recently developed electrolytic process for cleaning mill scale and other impurities from newly manufactured steel. The process offers reduced costs, improved coating adhesion, and increased corrosion resistance as potential benefits. Test samples of A-36 mild steel were cleaned using the EPCAD process and an industrial wheelabrator unit. Surface profile measurements and scanning electron microscopy were performed on both sets of samples to investigate the respective surface morphologies. Cleaned samples were then coated with an inorganic ceramic-based zinc primer. Tensile adhesion tests were performed and showed comparable adhesion properties for the EPCAD-cleaned and shot-blasted samples. The favorable adhesion properties are attributed to the microroughness and unique surface morphology produced by the EPCAD process.