PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN PANI/t-ZrO2 PADA CAT TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN MENGHAMBAT LAJU KOROSI LOGAM BAJA ST-42

Corrosion is a major problem in industry, causing material damage and reducing the lifespan of components. To address this issue, the development of effective anti-corrosion coatings is crucial. This research aims to analyze the effect of varying PANI/t-ZrO2 composite additions to paint on the corrosion resistance of the coating layer. PANI is known for its conductive and anti-corrosive properties, while ZrO2 is a refractory ceramic with low thermal conductivity, high hardness and density, and excellent corrosion resistance. The substrate used is ST-42 steel, a metal commonly used in everyday applications. Concentrations of t-ZrO₂ at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% were tested to determine the optimal composition. Corrosion testing was conducted using the Tafel polarization method in a 3.5% NaCl solution over 21 days to evaluate corrosion protection. Results show that the addition of PANI/t-ZrO₂ significantly improves the corrosion resistance of ST-42 steel compared to paint without composite additives. A concentration of 5% t-ZrO₂ in the PANI/t-ZrO₂ composite provided the best protection, with the lowest corrosion rates recorded at 0.0000653 mpy on the first day and 0.00089 mpy on the 21st day. However, at higher concentrations of 7.5% and 10%, the effectiveness of the corrosion protection layer tends to decrease.