Method and composition for treating metal surfaces including dispersed

Abstract

A method and composition for treating metal surfaces to improve corrosion resistance and paint adhesion. The composition is a non-corrosive aqueous solution including water, a polymeric compound, an additive, and dispersed silica. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric compound may be a polymer having a plurality of carboxylic functional groups and a plurality of hydroxyl groups. The polymeric compound may be a bifunctional copolymer or the reaction product of a first polymer having a plurality of carboxylic functional groups (e.g., polyacrylic acid or polymethylvinylmaleic anhydride), and a second polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl groups (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol). The additive is selected from at least one of: (i) an acid of a group IV-B element and a weak base, and (ii) an ammonium salt of a group IV-B compound such as ammonium zirconium carbonate. An exemplary acid of a group IV-B element is fluotitanic acid and an exemplary weak base is ammonium hydroxide. Dispersed silica is added, and any attack of the silica is minimized. The method for improving corrosion resistance and paint adhesion of a metal surface includes contacting the metal surface with a composition as described above and drying the composition in place. Prior to contacting the metal surface with such a composition, the metal surface may be cleaned and rinsed.