Gvozden Jovanović^1,*, Stefan Dikić², Aleksandra S. Popović², Nikola S. Vuković¹, Branimir N. Grgur², Miroslav Sokić¹

¹ Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials, Franchet dʼEsperey 86, Belgrade, Serbia

² Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, Belgrade, Serbia

^*g.jovanovic@itnms.ac.rs

https://doi.org/10.65614/uisk_yucorr.2025.26.ch28

Abstract

Corrosion is a common failure mechanism in steel and its structural components, often compromising their mechanical integrity and service life. One widely used method of protection is the application of functional coatings (organic, inorganic, or hybrid) that are tailored to perform specific roles under various environmental conditions. This study investigates the use of MIPAR, a powerful image analysis software, in the quantitative evaluation of corroded surfaces to assess the performance of such coatings. Composite coatings were prepared by incorporating 5 wt.% of polyaniline into a commercial alkyd-based paint and applied onto carbon steel substrates. The polyaniline emeraldine salt was synthesized following the IUPAC-recommended procedure, involving deprotonation with ammonium hydroxide and subsequent reprotonation with sulfamic, succinic, citric, and acetic acids. The base coating and four composite coatings were then exposed to a corrosive environment (3% NaCl solution), and surface degradation was monitored through digital imaging. MIPAR analysis was employed to quantify surface corrosion coverage, enabling a detailed evaluation of coating performance and corrosion progression. This approach demonstrates how digital image analysis enhances the accuracy and efficiency of corrosion studies by providing measurable, reproducible data on coating performance. The results highlight the potential of integrating digital imaging and advanced software tools like MIPAR in the development of next-generation functional coatings, including those with self-healing properties. Furthermore, future applications of MIPAR may involve leveraging its machine learning capabilities and multi-layer imaging to analyze complex coating systems, corroded and healed surfaces. This integration can significantly streamline research workflows and accelerate the discovery of more effective corrosion protection technologies.

Keywords: corrosion; image software; surface analysis; MIPAR

Izvod

Korozija je čest mehanizam degradacije kod čelika i čeličnih konstrukcija, što značajno utiče na njihov mehanički integritet i radni vek. Jedna od najčešće korišćenih metoda zaštite jeste primena funkcionalnih prevlaka (organskih, neorganskih ili hibridnih) koje se mogu prilagoditi da obavljaju određene funkcije u različitim uslovima radne sredine. Ova studija istražuje upotrebu softvera MIPAR, efikasnog alata za analizu digitalnih slika, u kvantitativnoj evaluaciji korozije i efikasnosti zaštitnih prevlaka. Kompozitne prevlake su pripremljene dodatkom 5% polianilina u komercijalnu alkidnu boju i nanete su na podloge od ugljeničnog čelika. Polianilin smaragdna so je sintetizovana prema IUPAC-ovoj proceduri, koja podrazumeva deprotonaciju sa amonijum hidroksidom, a zatim reprotonaciju sa sulfaminskom, sukcinskom, limunskom i sirćetnom kiselinom. Bazni premaz i četiri kompozitna premaza su zatim izloženi korozivnoj sredini (3% rastvor NaCl), a degradacija površine je praćena digitalnim snimanjem. Za kvantifikaciju korodirane površine korišćena je MIPAR analiza, što je omogućilo detaljnu evaluaciju performansi premaza i napredovanja korozije. Ovakav pristup pokazuje kako digitalna analiza slika može unaprediti preciznost i efikasnost istraživanja u oblasti korozione zaštite, pružajući merljive i ponovljive rezultate. Rezultati ukazuju na veliki potencijal integracije digitalnog snimanja i naprednih softverskih alata poput MIPAR-a u razvoju novih generacija funkcionalnih prevlaka, uključujući samopopravljajuće prevlake. Dodatno, buduća primena softvera MIPAR mogla bi obuhvatiti upotrebu njegovih naprednih mogućnosti u oblasti mašinskog učenja i višeslojne analize slika za detaljno ispitivanje kompleksnih prevlaka, korodirane i regenerisane površine. Ova integracija može značajno ubrzati istraživačke procese i doprineti razvoju efikasnijih tehnologija zaštite od korozije.

Ključne reči: korozija; program za obradu slika; analiza površine; MIPAR