Study on the application of curing agents in light colored water-borne epoxy antistatic anticorrosive paint

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the curing mechanisms, anticorrosive properties and protective mechanisms of three kinds of amine curing agents applied in a new kind of light colored water-borne epoxy antistatic anticorrosive paint.Design methodology approach - Using light color-conductive mica, titanium oxides and environmentally-friendly anticorrosive pigments in the two-component water-borne epoxy system, the light colored water-borne antistatic anticorrosive paint was prepared. The molecular structure and curing mechanisms of the curing agents was analyzed by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, and the influence of the curing agents on anticorrosive properties and protective mechanisms was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.Findings - The paints cured by the modified amine curing agent possessed optimal integrated properties with a coating surface resistivity of 106 Ω and the best anticorrosive performance.Originality value - A novel light colored water-borne epoxy antistatic anticorrosive paint cured by the optimal curing agent could be used in corrosion protection for oil tanks to replace the traditional oil-based antistatic anticorrosive paints.