Abstract
The sol-gel synthesis process is a versatile method used to produce a wide diversity of materials and is being increasingly used as a surface modification method to alter porosity, wettability, catalytic activity, biocompatibility and corrosion performance of underlying substrates. Silane sol–gel films deposited on aluminium and aluminium alloys have been widely studied as chemical conversion coatings and as coupling agent between the substrate and organic layers. This study set out to investigate the effect of the surface chemical treatment prior to sol-gel application on the interfacial adhesion properties of a hybrid sol-gel film. Different surface pre-treatments, including two abrasive treatments and three chemical surface pre-treatments were used and their effect on surface chemistry and surface roughness was assessed. Surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, roughness measurements and static contact angles. Cerium nitrate loaded hybrid sol-gel films were deposited and adhesion on commercially pure aluminium was evaluated using pull-off testing. Statistical analysis revealed that, although highest adhesion values were obtained on rougher surfaces, the strongest correlation exists between the surface hydroxyl fraction and adhesion strength.
Highlights
A versatile method used to produce a wide diversity of materials is the sol-gel synthesis process [1]
The results show that the application of sol-gel coating increases the adhesion with the epoxy-based adhesive for fine (4000 grit) and rough (800 grit) bare Al substrates
The present study was devoted to investigate the dependence of the adhesion strength of an inorganic-organic hybrid sol-gel film deposited on commercially pure Al on the surface chemistry and surface rough ness
Summary
A versatile method used to produce a wide diversity of materials is the sol-gel synthesis process [1]. Sol-gel synthesis is being increasingly used as a surface modification method to alter porosity, wettability, catalytic ac tivity, biocompatibility and corrosion performance of the underlying substrate [2]. It is this versatility of materials and applications that has generated great interest in the application of the sol-gel technique to develop thin films and coatings [3]. Organic-inorganic hybrid (OIH) sol-gel materials are based on organic and inorganic precursors and combine both the advantages of organic polymers (i.e. impact resistance, flexibility and light weight) and of their inorganic constituents (chemical resistance, thermal sta bility and mechanical strength) [4].
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