DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UM CONTROLADOR DE POTENCIAL PARA ESTUDO ELETROQUÍMICO DA CORROSÃO DE VIGAS DE AÇO PROTEGIDAS POR FILMES POLIMÉRICOS

Abstract

Metal corrosion is a major problem in civil construction, considering that most of the structures used contain or are composed of metal alloys. This process deteriorates the structures, thus reducing the useful life of the buildings and the maintenance. The project aimed at the development of a potential controller and the development of polymeric films that will coat the steel beams in order to reduce the corrosive process. The controller was built using simple and inexpensive components, being a 9V power supply, a Tip 42C, a 100kΩ potentiometer, a protoboard and alligator clip cables for electrode connection. It is capable of manually changing the voltage applied to the system. Polymeric films are formed by abundant solid residues such as Polyethylene, aiming at reducing residues in the environment. Through absorbance tests on solutions and SEM on beams, the efficiency of solid waste films in the protection of steel against electrochemical corrosion was analyzed, aiming to diversify the possibilities of protection of a structure exposed to conditions favorable to corrosion. The results were satisfactory, showing that the polymeric films are efficient in the protection against corrosion, reducing from 50 to 80% of the deposition of particles resulting from the corrosive process. It is further concluded that efficiency can be enhanced by increasing coatings.