Water-reducible coating composition for providing corrosion protection to a substrate

There is disclosed a water-reducible, chromium-free coating composition for providing corrosion protection to a substrate, such as a metal substrate. The deposited coating film is corrosion-resistant and for coated articles which are threaded, e.g., steel fasteners, the coating provides a non-thread-filling coating. The coating composition contains particulate metal, such as particulate zinc or aluminum. Although substituents can be separately packaged, the composition is virtually always a one-package coating composition. The composition contains water-reducible organofunctional silane, particularly an epoxy functional silane, as a binding agent. The composition has highly desirable, extended shelf life. The composition can be easily applied in the usual manner, such as dip-drain or dip-spin technique, and readily cures at elevated temperature.