An inorganic zinc primer is a coating consisting primarily of zinc that is applied to bare metal alone or prior to subsequent coatings. Inorganic zinc primers use silicate binders to create adhesion on metal surfaces. Silicate binders are the reason this zinc primer is considered inorganic compared to other types of binders.
Inorganic zinc primers protect certain substrates from the adverse effects of corrosion.
A common substrate coated with an inorganic zinc primer may be steel. Corrosion protection works in two ways:
It forms a layer between the steel and potentially corrosive substances.
by cathodic protection. Zinc is more reactive than steel, which makes it easier to oxidize when placed in the same electrochemical cell, preventing corrosion of steel.
There are two main types of zinc primers: inorganic and organic. Inorganic zinc primers use silicates to adhere the zinc to the substrate surface, while organic zinc primers use adhesives such as epoxies.
Inorganic zinc primers are known for their ability to contain higher amounts of zinc than other types of zinc primers. This generally gives inorganic zinc primers better corrosion resistance than their organic counterparts. It should be noted, however, that inorganic zinc primers require the presence of a base metal that is already well prepared for coating; therefore, its low tolerance for poor surface quality may make organozinc primers a better alternative for field applications Taste.
