Microarc Oxidation of Carbon-Graphite Materials (Review)

The review is devoted to microarc (or plasma-electrolytic) oxidation (MAO) of carbon-graphite materials with the purpose of protecting their surfaces from oxidation, primarily, high-temperature oxidation. It is found that the formation of protective coatings on graphite under certain conditions occurs in accordance with trends similar to the formation of oxide layers on valve metals. The phenomenological model of the mechanism of formation of MAO coatings on graphite is given. In particular, the results of our own studies are described, as well as the data on the achieved level of characteristics of obtained MAO coatings are given.