Hybrid sol-gel coatings applied on anodized AA2024-T3 for active corrosion protection

The effect of the presence of an anodic film and hybrid sol-gel coating loaded with corrosion inhibitors was evaluated as a strategy for enhanced barrier and active corrosion protection of aluminium alloy 2024-T3. In this study, AA2024-T3 specimens were anodized in a modified sulphuric-citric acid bath (SCA) as the first layer of a corrosion...

Fabrication of copper nanowires via electrodeposition in anodic aluminum oxide templates formed by combined hard anodizing and electrochemical barrier layer thinning

Anodic aluminum oxide was formed by employing mild and hard anodizing in sulfuric acid followed by mild anodizing in oxalic acid without oxide removal in-between at 40 and 45 V. Such multi-step anodizing, combining hard anodizing in sulfuric acid with mild anodizing in oxalic acid allowed to form a highly-ordered nanoporous template with a...

Cr(VI)-free pre-treatments for adhesive bonding of aerospace aluminium alloys

For more than six decades, chromic acid anodizing (CAA) has been the central process in the surface pre-treatment of aluminium for adhesively bonded aircraft structures in Europe. Unfortunately, this electrolyte contains hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a compound known for its toxicity and carcinogenic properties. The approaching ban on the use of...