Comprehensive analysis of coating materials on buried steel angle sections for enhanced corrosion protection

Introduction Steel grillage foundations are the standard for four-leg lattice towers; yet, the performance of buried steel angle sections is drastically reduced due to corrosion. Studies on protective coatings for similar structural components are scarce. Methods In the present work, the corrosion performance of steel angle profiles with several protective coatings was investigated experimentally by means of accelerated electrochemical methods. The performance of Zycosil nano-coating was evaluated and compared with plain steel, epoxy-coated, and glass fiber-reinforced polymer-wrapped specimens. Results Uncoated steel and epoxy-coated specimens invariably showed higher corrosion potentials than Zycosil-coated specimens, implying closer to zero corrosion potentials in the latter group. Stability of the results was preserved during the 1-year evaluation. Discussion The superior behavior of Zycosil is due to the barrier effect and stability, in extreme conditions, superior to that provided by traditional systems. Conclusion Zycosil nano-coating presents a viable option for enhancing the longevity and service life of steel grillage foundations in a saline environment.