Study on Microstructure and Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of PEO Coatings Formed on Aluminum Alloy

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) treated 6063 aluminum alloy was applied in a silicate- and borate-based alkaline solution. The microstructure and electrochemical corrosion behavior were studied by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The results showed that the silicate-based PEO coating was of a denser structure compared with that of borate-based PEO coating. In addition, the silicate-based PEO coating was composed of more phased (Al9Si) than borate-based PEO coating. The results of corrosion test indicated that the silicate-based PEO coating provided a superior protection to 6063 aluminum alloy substrate, while borate-based PEO coating with a porous structure showed an inferior conservancy against corrosive electrolyte. Furthermore, the EIS tests proved that both coatings were capable to resist the aggressive erosion in 0.5 M NaCl solution after 72 h of immersion. However, the borate-based PEO coating could not provide sufficient protection to the substrate after 72-h immersion in 1 M NaCl solution.