Superhydrophobic carbon fiber composite coatings based on TC4 titanium alloy for improving corrosion resistance.

Seawater corrosion poses significant challenges to marine industrial equipment, leading to a reduced lifespan and potential safety hazards. To enhance the corrosion resistance and reliability of titanium alloys in marine environments, a superhydrophobic TiO₂ nanotube-carbon fiber composite coating (SCF-TAD20) was developed through anodic oxidation, spraying, and chemical modification. SCF-TAD20 achieves a contact angle of 153°, which facilitates excellent corrosion protection due to its unique micro-nano structure, gas barrier properties, and chemical resistance. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that SCF-TAD20 increases the corrosion potential from −0.482 V to 0.0612 V and reduces the corrosion current density from 377.8 × 10−8 A/cm2 to 0.615 × 10−8 A/cm2, a four-order decrease. Its charge transfer resistance (∼8.81E6 Ω·cm2) is significantly higher than that of the substrate (∼3.03E5 Ω·cm2). The coating also performs well in seawater with varying pH levels, showing the lowest corrosion current density and a significant increase in resistive arc radius. This research presents a novel approach to enhancing TC4 titanium alloys for marine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]