Effect of K2TiO(C2O4)2 Addition in Electrolyte on the Microstructure and Tribological Behavior of Micro-Arc Oxidation Coatings on Aluminum Alloy

doi:10.1007/s40195-017-0641-0

Abstract

Abstract:

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coatings with different concentrations of K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂ in the sodium silicate base electrolyte were prepared on 6061 aluminum alloy with the aim of promoting a better understanding of the formation mechanisms and tribological behaviors of the coatings. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) assisted with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and friction test were employed to characterize the MAO processes and microstructure of the resultant coatings. Results showed that the composition and microstructure of the coatings were significantly affected by the addition of K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂. A sealing microstructure of MAO coating was obtained with the addition of K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂. Ti element from K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂ was only absorbed into the defects of micropores under surface energy in the early stage, while in the later stage, Ti element was predominant in the micropores and distributed on the coatings under plasma discharge to form TiO₂. It was demonstrated that Ti and Si elements from the electrolyte could interact with each other during the MAO process and the interaction mechanism was systematically analyzed. Wear resistance of the MAO coatings with K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂ addition was significantly improved compared with that of the MAO coatings without K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂ addition.

Key words: Aluminum alloy, Micro-arc oxidation, K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂, Coating formation mechanism, Tribological behavior

Jian-Li Wang, Wei Yang, Da-Peng Xu, Xiao-Fei Yao. Effect of K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂ Addition in Electrolyte on the Microstructure and Tribological Behavior of Micro-Arc Oxidation Coatings on Aluminum Alloy[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2017, 30(11): 1109-1118.

Figures/Tables 12

Fig. 1 Surface microstructure of MAO coatings prepared in electrolytes with different K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition: a 0 g/L, b 3 g/L, c 6 g/L, d 10 g/L

Fig. 2 Ra values of MAO coatings prepared in electrolytes with different amount of K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition

Table 1 EDS results of MAO coatings prepared in the electrolytes with different amount of K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition

Coatings (g/L)	O (at.%)	Al (at.%)	Si (at.%)	Ti (at.%)
MAO-0	24.84	42.99	24.22	-
MAO-3	25.39	46.25	23.94	0.48
MAO-6	26.08	46.79	23.26	0.83
MAO-10	25.59	46.94	18.22	1.36

Fig. 3 Surface morphologies of MAO coatings with 10 g/L K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition during the growth at different oxidation time: a 85 s, b 120 s, c 600 s

Table 2 EDS results in different regions of the MAO coatings at different preparing time with 10 g/L K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition

Oxide time (s)	Region	O (at.%)	Al (at.%)	Si (at.%)	Ti (at.%)
85	I	17.40	68.38	8.13	0.34
85	II	10.23	87.02	1.93	-
120	III	20.55	66.74	8.45	0.38
120	IV	31.81	60.00	5.85	0.26
600	V	23.59	56.94	11.27	0.80
600	VI	27.48	40.83	7.05	0.56

Fig. 4 Typical Si2p and Ti2p high-resolution XPS spectra of a without K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition, b, c with K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition on Al alloy substrate after Ar sputtering

Fig. 5 Coefficient of friction (COF) of MAO coatings with 0 g/L, 3 g/L, 6 g/L and 10 g/L K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition as a function of sliding time

Fig. 6 SEM images of wear scar width on MAO coatings prepared in electrolytes with different K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition: a 0 g/L, b 3 g/L, c 6 g/L, d 10 g/L

Fig. 7 SEM local magnification images of wear scar on MAO coatings prepared in electrolytes with different K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition: a 0 g/L, b 3 g/L, c 6 g/L, d 10 g/L

Table 3 Chemical composition at wear tracks of MAO coatings with 6 g/L K2TiO(C2O4)2 addition in Fig. 7c

Coating	Region	O (at.%)	Al (at.%)	Si (at.%)	Fe (at.%)	Cr (at.%)	Ti (at.%)
MAO-6 g/L	I	25.51	37.88	15.51	4.56	-	0.67
MAO-6 g/L	II	4.92	-	1.55	83.17	1.39	-

Fig. 8 Schematic diagram of MAO electric circuit

Fig. 9 Schematic illustration of the main MAO processes at different stages a at the moment of starting arc, b severe micro-arc discharge

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Effect of K₂TiO(C₂O₄)₂ Addition in Electrolyte on the Microstructure and Tribological Behavior of Micro-Arc Oxidation Coatings on Aluminum Alloy

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