The work aims to improve corrosion resistance of zirconia conversion film on steel.With Q235 steel sheets were studied as objects of study,a zirconia conversion film was preparedon the steel surface by adding containing different concentrations of triethanolamine or composite of triethanolamine/carbamide to the zirconium solution. Electrochemical behavior of the zirconia conversion film in 5% NaCl corrosive liquidwas discussed with polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Morphology of the zirconia conversion film was observed with SEM. After coating the films with different primers, properties of zirconia conversion film was assessed by performing adhesion test by scratch. Forthe zirconia conversion film prepared by adding 100mg/L triethanolamine to zirconia basic film-forming liquid in 5% NaCl corrosive liquid, the self-corrosion current was 1.66×10?5 A/dm2, passivation areawaswidest, impedance was the highest and corrosion resistance was the best. However, for the zirconia conversion film made from carbamide instead of 50%triethanolaminein 5% NaCl corrosive liquid, the self-corrosion potential and current changed slightly, the passivation area was wider while impedance arc increased obviously. For the zirconia conversion filmprepared by adding triethanolamine and composite of triethanolamine/carbamide in zirconia basic film-forming liquid treated with 2% silanol confining liquidand 5% silane confining liquid, the adhesion to low-treated surfaceepoxy primer and modified epoxy primer coating was grade 1. The corrosion resistance of Q235 steel can be enhanced by adding triethanolamine or composite of triethanolamine/carbamide to the zirconium solution. After being treatedwith 2% silanol confining liquid and 5% silaneconfining liquid, respectively,the zirconia conversion film keeps good adhesion to low pretreated surface epoxy primer andmodified epoxy primer.