Abstract
In this study, we investigated the influences of potassium fluoride(KF) addition on the surface characteristics of plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO) coating produced on Al alloy. The PEO of marine grade Al alloy(5083 grade) was conducted in KOH 1g/L solution adding different concentrations of KF(0, 1 and 2 g/L) under a galvanostatic regime. With KF addition, unusual behavior was observed on the voltage-time characteristic curves, which can be characterized by the following process: (i) initial rapid increase in voltage (ii) a short plateau after 1st breakdown (iii) gradual increase in voltage (iv) intermittent fluctuation of voltage after 2nd breakdown. The SEM observation revealed irregular surface morphology with KF addition, as compared with one formed without KF addition, which had a reticulate structure. The XRD analysis detected the formation of aluminium hydroxide fluoride hydrate(<TEX>$H_{4.76}Al_2F_{3.24}O_{3.76}$</TEX>) on surface grown by PEO process with KF. Particularly, at very early stage of the process (~ 120 s), thin film was formed having nanoporous structure, and F element was confirmed on surface by EDS analysis. The thickness and surface roughness of the coating increased with increasing KF concentration. As a result, KF addition was found to be less beneficial influences on PEO of marine grade Al alloy, and therefore needs further research to improve its capability.
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