application of tio2 nanoparticle coating in the manufacturing of corrosion resistant parts to agricultural pesticides

a constant problem in the production, maintenance, and use of agricultural pesticides, is their physical-chemical corrosive properties in contact with machines and equipment. the present study attempted to increase the corrosion resistance of steel parts to agricultural pesticide with the application of appropriate thin tio2 nanoparticle coatings. this coating was applied on mild steel coupons with different pre-determined thicknesses with the sol-gel method. to determine the rate of corrosion of the coupons, a corrosion simulator system was designed and built. the corrosion properties of coupons were evaluated with two common types of agricultural pesticide in three different concentrations using the weight loss method. the corrosion tests were done in a factorial design with randomized complete block with three replications and three factors: thickness with four levels; type of the pesticide in two levels; and the concentration of pesticide solution in three levels, respectively. the results showed that the coating of tio2 nanoparticles with a thickness in the range of t3= 1300-1400 nm had the best performance, and improved the corrosion resistance of mild steel up to 89.8%. furthermore, it was observed that increasing the concentration of agricultural pesticide increases the rate of corrosion on both coated and uncoated coupons.