Metal Surface Treatment in Electrolyte Plasma during Anodic Process

Abstract

Electrolytic – plasma processes (EPP), which are a set of electrochemical and electro physical phenomena, are new highly effective and environmentally friendly methods of metals and alloys surface treatment. Electrolytic – plasma treatment of metal surfaces could be used for cleaning and polishing of metal surfaces, formation of diffusion layers (thermo chemical treatment) and metal, ceramic or composite coating deposition (micro-arc oxidation). The present paper is related to the study of modes set on the active electrode during anodic process and usage of these modes in descaling, metal surface polishing and synchronous polishing of anode surface and coating of cathode surface. Oxygen content and surface roughness before and after the treatment were evaluated according to the profile logging and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX). Composition, microstructure, morphology and adhesion of copper and silvers coatings formed on cathode surface during electrolytic – plasma treatment were studied depending on treatment parameters. Results show that electrolytic – plasma processes can be used effectively for steel strips descaling after rolling; metals and alloys surface polishing, synchronous anode polishing and cathode coating.