ABSTRACT

Corrosion poses a significant threat to the longevity and structural integrity of mild steel components in various industries. In this project, we explore a novel approach to mitigate corrosion by electrochemically depositing a composite coating of zinc-palm kernel shell ash (Zn-PKSA) onto mild steel substrates.

Zn- palm kernel shell ash coating on mild steel was obtained by preparing an electrolyte solution that can conduct electricity which contains a mixture of Zinc (Zn) in 1 little of distilled water, and prepared palm kernel shell ash (PKSA). A three electrode electrochemical cell was used which consist of DC power supply, platinum electrode (counter electrode), silver/ silver chloride electrode ( reference electrode), to deposit Zn - palm kernel shell ash composite on mild steel by a process known as electroplating ( using the principles of electrolysis) to have a coated mild steel.

Corrosion was carried out on the coated and uncoated mild steel in an HCL acidic environment, the corrosion rate was observed by means of weight loss method on each coated and uncoated specimen. It was observed that the corrosion rate on each coated and uncoated mild steel decrease progressively with respect to time. The coating thickness efficiency is 47.55%

It was concluded based on the results of this project that coated mild steel in an HCL acidic environment has a lesser corrosion rate than the uncoated mild steel in an HCL acidic environment. Therefore electrochemical deposition and post processing treatment of Zn - palm kernel shell ash composite coating on mild steel is a reliable means of preventing corrosion over time.