Synthesis and evaluation of corrosion resistance of molybdate-based conversion coatings on electroplated zinc

Three molybdate-based conversion coatings on electroplated zinc have been prepared and the composition, morphology, and structure of these coatings are measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. It was found that these coatings with ‘meshwork’ surface were complex coatings composed of multiple compounds. Molybdenum species were present in the conversion coating as Mo (VI) and Mo (IV) compounds. The results of neutral salt spray test showed that molybdate-based conversion coatings with the addition of H3PO4, SiO2 and TiOSO4 in the passivation baths possess higher corrosion resistance compared with chromate conversion coatings, which was due to the compactness and anti-corrosion essence of the conversion coating.