Characterization of Anatase Coatings on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Method

Abstract

The anatase coatings was obtained by aqua regia dealloying and plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) method on NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) substrate. The PEO manufacturability of NiTi SMA before and after dealloying was researched. The PEO surface morphologies of the aqua regia treated and untreated specimens were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composition of the PEO coatings was investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The element concentration of the surface of the PEO-treated NiTi SMA was measured by an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). The results indicate that the pre-treatment technology by aqua regia dealloying can greatly improve the PEO manufacturability and the PEO morphologies of the NiTi SMA. The optimum dealloying parameters are at room temperature for 10 min. At this circumstance, the PEO manufacturability of the treated samples is most close to that of the industrial pure titanium. There are many honeycomb-like micro-pores in the surface of the PEO coatings, which act as discharging channels. The cracks are invisible in the SEM images of the PEO coatings. The PEO coatings formed on the NiTi is composed of Ti, Ni, Al, O, Au and P. The composition of the PEO coatings is mainly composed of NiTi phase and anatase phase.