Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a non-destructive and powerful technique for characterizing corrosion systems, allowing for the evaluation of surface reaction mechanisms, mass transport, kinetic evolution, and corrosion levels of materials. This study aims to analyze the progression of corrosion using EIS, with a focus on the influence of organic coating thickness. For this purpose, layers of high-purity epoxy paint were applied to carbon steel plates with thicknesses of 50 µm, 80 µm, and 100 µm. During the research, a direct correlation was observed between coating thickness and corrosion resistance, emphasizing the importance of identifying the optimal thickness for each type of coating. Additionally, it was found that thicker coatings may experience electrode penetration due to the tensions generated during deposition, resulting in cracks between the layers, while thinner coatings allow electrolyte penetration as they do not provide adequate protection to the base steel. Therefore, the 80 µm thickness demonstrated greater resistance to corrosion compared to the other tested thicknesses.

In this work, poly (urea-formaldehyde-melamine) (PUFM) microcapsules containing a commercial epoxy ester resin were synthesized by in-situ polymerization technique. The microcapsules size distribution was analyzed by laser diffraction, and the obtained microcapsules were evaluated by the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) to prove the ester epoxy resin microencapsulation. The filled microcapsules were incorporated into an epoxy three-layer coating system, varying the microcapsules concentration (10 and 15%) and the microcapsules incorporation on the different layers—first, second, or both. The coatings electrochemical behavior was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique and localized scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET). Pull-off adhesion tests were performed in the coatings systems, to verify if the microcapsules presence affect the adhesion and/or cohesion coating properties. The EIS results showed that microcapsules change the coating electrochemical response, but the samples visual aspect suggests that the microcapsules improve the barrier properties of the microcapsules systems. The coating system containing the microcapsules showed a significant self-healing effect when stressed by a mechanical defect and the higher concentration (15 wt. %) of microcapsules provided a better self-healing protection, with better anticorrosive performance. Additionally, the microcapsules did not disturb the adhesion/cohesion properties of the coating system.

The inhibition effect of castor bark powder obtained from Ricinus communis on AISI 1020 carbon steel in acidic media (HCl 0.5 mol.L^-1) has been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), polarization curves, scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET) and weight loss measurements. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed as characterization techniques. The EIS and gravimetric results showed that the inhibitory efficiency increases with inhibitor concentration achieving 83%. Polarization curves indicated that the castor bark powder acts as mixed inhibitor. The adsorption of the powder components on the metal surface follows the Langmuir isotherm. The FTIR analyses indicate the presence of C, N and O heteroatoms, incorporated in functional groups mainly related to the presence of carboxylic acids as ricinoleic acid, which could be responsible for the inhibitory properties of the powder. SEM analyses showed that the corrosion process was retarded in the presence of inhibitor in the electrolyte, which was confirmed by SVET measurements. Therefore, the results indicate that castor bark powder has potential to be a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic media.