Combination of thermal activation and addition of H2O2 to improve cerium-based immersion treatment of alloy AA5083

Intensive research has been undertaken in recent years aimed at finding non-contaminating alternatives to surface treatment processes based on the use of chromates. One of the alternatives proposed involves the use of lanthanide salts, and a variety of methods of protection have been described. In this study, the results of the treatment of samples of alloy AA5083 in a solution of Ce(III) at 323 K and incorporating small quantities of oxygenated water are presented. These results indicate that the application of this type of treatment gives a considerable reduction in the time required for this process and high levels of protection. This time reduction is associated with a combined effect caused, in part by the presence of oxygenated water, which facilitates the formation of islands of cerium, and in part by thermal activation, which facilitates a more rapid development of the alumina film over the metal matrix. Lastly, the results obtained indicate that these treatments provide increased resistance of the alloy against pitting corrosion.