Effects of Process Parameters on Hydrophobicity of Alumina Surfaces Fabricated by Hard Anodizing

Abstract

In the present article, hard anodizing technique was used to prepare alumina films on aluminum alloy substrate. The change of the water contact angles on the surface of the as-anodized samples with the hard anodizing process parameters was studied. The wettability of the alumina films was reinforced by means of controlling the surface microstructure. The rough structures can trap a large amount of air and minimize the real contact area between surfaces and water droplets. The measurement of the wetting property showed that the water contact angle of the as-anodized samples increases from 82° to 130° with adjusting hard anodizing process parameters. In a word, the rough structure on the surface prepared by adjusting hard anodizing process parameters plays a vital role in the constructing of the stable hydrophobic surface on aluminum alloy.