The preparation and properties of the brown film by micro-arc oxidized on in-situ TiB2/7050Al matrix composites

Abstract

The brown or grayish-white color films were prepared by the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) method on in-situ TiB2/7050Al composites using these alkaline electrolytes with/without KMnO4 as an additive. The microstructure, elemental composition, chemical state and corrosion behavior have been investigated by the microstructure characterizations and electrochemistry measurements on the MAO films comparatively. The results indicated that a brown film was obtained via adding KMnO4 into the alkaline electrolyte. The coloration mechanism of the brown color can be ascribed to the existence of MnO inside the film. Furthermore, the initiation of corrosion to the Al composite was intensively hindered by the brown MAO film. Compared with the Al substrate and grayish-white film, the brown MAO film exhibited the elevated corrosion potential and reduced corrosion current. Therefore, the brown film has presented an optimized corrosion resistance for the composite.