Variable parameter processes of micro-arc oxidation for aluminium alloy

In micro-arc oxidation process, ceramic coating had a rapid growth all along by the way of constant current oxidation, and ceramic coating had a low roughness by the way of constant voltage oxidation. But few research focus on the mixed control process of constant current oxidation and constant voltage oxidation. In this paper we propose a variable parameter process that can combine the advantages of constant current and constant voltage oxidation for the first time. The growth kinetics of different technics was analyzed according to the change law of current and voltage. Surface topographs of ceramic coating were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The friction tests were carried out using a self-made friction tester. The results show that ceramic coating has an upper growth rate and a low roughness by the process of constant current+constant voltage oxidation. The ceramic coating has a high growth rate by process of constant voltage+constant current oxidation. The results of friction test indicate that the wear rate and roughness of ceramic coating are positive correlation at early stage of friction. While the ceramic coatings treated by different technics have the close wear rate at stable friction stage, which embodies the inner layer of ceramic coating has a well antiwear behavior.