Protection of Carbon Steel from Atmospheric Corrosion Using Polymer-Based Materials in the Banda Aceh Environment

Corrosion occurs when metal undergoes an electrochemical reaction, causing it to dissolve into ions on its surface. Atmospheric corrosion is initiated when pollutants in the air come into contact with metal. Several factors influence atmospheric corrosion, including temperature, humidity, the air’s chemical composition, the type of metal, metallurgical structure, and manufacturing process. Exposure to a corrosive environment can compromise a metal’s structural integrity. One way to mitigate corrosion is by applying coatings or paint to create a barrier between the metal and corrosive surroundings. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various paint types in protecting structural steel in accordance with SNI 07-2054-2006 standards from atmospheric corrosion. Steel specimens coated with four different types of paint were exposed for 4 months, with monthly weight measurements taken to assess corrosion. Results indicate that Acrylic Base paint was the most effective, with a lowest corrosion rate of 0.000000352 mm/year over the 4-month exposure period, while Alkyd Base paint showed the highest corrosion rate at 0.000000396 mm/year.