Investigating the corrosion behaviour of conveyor chain pin and link

Abstract The corrosion resistance of the Cathode Electro-deposition (CED) production line’s conveyor chain can be improved by performing electroplating with zinc metal on the alloy steel. The zinc coating over the steel conveyor chain link is better suitable for the Pre-treatment (PT) and CED line. The PT and CED line is naturally both acidic and high temperature at the same time and both enhance the rate of corrosion over any material. The process of zinc coating over the alloy steel used in the conveyor chain link enhances the rust inhibition property without altering the hardness. This is made possible through the sub-micron thickness addition of zinc over the base metal. Corrosion test was conducted in 3.5% NaCl solution according to ASTM STD G1 03 and the results of two specimens (I pin and chain link) were observed and reported. The corrosion rate was greatly improved by the sub-micron thickness of the zinc layer added on the conveyor chain link. The weight loss rate for 5 weeks test time reduced from 2.41% to 0.73% after zinc coated. Weight loss of new zinc coated material improved by 1.67% from the existing chain link material. The corrosion rate of the chain-link improved by 71% from the existing chain link. The results presented in the paper can contribute to the body of knowledge of corrosion behaviour of metals in acidic and temperature environment, which in turn enable more accurate prediction of failures of CED line conveyor chains.