Abstract:Silicate sol post-treatment was applied to form a complete composite coating on the phosphated zinc layer. The chemical compositions of the coatings were investigated using XPS. The coated samples were firstly scratched and then exposed to the neutral salt spray (NSS) chamber for different time. The microstructure and chemical compositions of the scratches were studied using SEM and EDS. And the non-scratched coated samples were compared. The self-healing mechanism of the composite coatings was discussed. The results show that during corrosion, the self-healing ions in composite coatings dissolve, diffuse and transfer to the scratches or the defects, and then recombine with Zn²⁺ to form insoluble compound, which deposits and covers the exposed zinc. The corrosion products on the scratches contain silicon, phosphorous, oxygen, chloride and zinc, and they are compact, fine, needle and flake, effectively inhibiting the corrosion formation and expansion of the exposed zinc layer. The composite coatings have good self-healing ability.

Key words: corrosion; self-healing; phosphate coatings; silicate; zinc