Scientific journal

European Journal of Natural History

ISSN 2073-4972

ИФ РИНЦ = 0,301

Currently search for new efficient coatings with high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, thermal resistance for spare parts of machines and mechanisms of different purpose is an ongoing process. Due to the above a comparatively new method for treatment of valve metals surface – micro-arc oxidation method – is of interest. This method allows obtaining fundamentally new coatings, which are characterized through different physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Pulse mode of performing micro-arc oxidation is of great interest. When forming oxide coating under the pulse mode by micro-arc oxidation method the value of current anode pulse duration has a significant impact on roughness of the coating. The work studies influence of current anode pulse duration on properties of oxide coating obtained by micro-arc oxidation method.

Aluminum, titanium, zirconium alloys and other materials are widely used as structural materials in modern engineering and airspace industry. Search for new efficient coatings with high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, thermal resistance for spare parts of machines and mechanisms of different purpose is an ongoing process. Due to this micro-arc oxidation method (MAO) [1–3], which is comparatively new method for treatment of valve metals, is of interest. The method allows obtaining brand new coatings with unique complex of properties characterized through high performance indicators. The peculiarity of micro-arc oxidation method is that the process runs under high electric field intensity and is accompanied by formation of micro-plasma and micro-regions with high pressure due to appearing gases, which leads to developing of high temperature chemical transformations and transportation of the substance in the arc. Micro-plasma charges activity results in formation of coating layer consisting of oxidized forms of metal elements of electrolyte basis and components. The coating basis predominantly consists of α-Al2O3 (corundum) [3].

Topical is the issue of obtaining oxide coating in MAO mode with low roughness in order to exclude additional mechanical treatment of surface layer.

In this regard research of influence of current anode pulse duration on properties of oxide coatings obtained by micro-arc oxidation method is of interest.

Materials and methods. Samples for application of oxide coating were made out of A0 aluminum with dimensions of 2x2 cm and thickness of 3 mm, area of the surface to be treated was 8 cm2. The samples prior to application of oxide coating by MAO method underwent mechanical polishing and had roughness of Ra = – 0,098 μm.

Oxide coating was formed in electrolyte solution consisting of, g/l: Na2HPO4·12Н2О – 40; Na2B4O7·10 Н2О – 30; H3BO3 – 20, NaF – 10. Electrolyte was prepared out of distilled water and analytically pure and chemically pure reagents. Micro-arc oxidation was carried out in a 700 ml capacity tub made of stainless steel. With the purpose of cooling the electrolyte the tub was provided with water cooling system. Tub body served as cathode in the process of MAO.

MAO process was performed using pulse power source, which allowed obtaining voltage pulses of rectangular, trapezoidal form with pulses flow frequency of 50 Hz and current density of 114–130 A/dm2.

Roughness of coatings was measured with application of proximity MICRO MEASURE 3D station 3D-profiler. Micro-hardness of coatings was identified by means of Nano Hardness Tester by indenting the penetrator with diamond tip under maximum load of 20 mN. Wear resistance of coating was measured on high temperature friction gauge THT-S-AX0000. Identification of coating durability was based on friction principle of ball indentor made of ВК alloy against surface. Whereas the load was equal to 1N, linear velocity – 2,5 cm/s, measurements were taken under temperature of 250 °C, 50 % air humidity. Durability value was identified by track area measured on three-dimensional profiler using Mountains Map Universal software and obtaining three-dimensional images of sample surface with track. For each sample 9 values of track area were obtained and arithmetic average was found. Coatings thickness was measured on QuaNix-1500 thickness gauge. The thickness was calculated as an average among 15 measurements, from both sides of the sample. Porosity, form, distribution of pores by dimension were analyzed by processing micro-photos of surface of samples being studied, which photos were obtained on Quanta 200i 3D raster type electronic microscope using planimetry, secant and dots methods as a ratio of pore image area to total area of a section under observation [4].

Discussion of results. Conducting of MAO process in constant current mode causes intense warming up of near-electrode layer, which leads to formation of partial melting on the sample surface, destruction and peeling of coating, formation of coatings with high roughness.

It is known that when forming oxide coating by micro-arc oxidation method in the pulse mode the value of current anode pulse duration has a significant impact on coating roughness [5]. In case the process is carried out with small values of current anode pulse duration the micro-arc charges arise during short period of time. In this case the material under treatment is not overheated and in the interval between pulses the heat is able to flow to the solution. Small values of pulse duration lead to appearance of small oxide buildups and to significant quantity of pores per unit of area. This facilitates formation of uniform coatings with low roughness.

Voltage value influences final thickness of the coating. Values of current anode pulse duration influences coating quality, in particular, roughness thereof, whereas pulse amplitude influences the coating formation rate. Changes of thickness and roughness of coatings formed under polarizing voltage Up = 300V under different duration of current anode pulse are in table 1.

As it is seen from the obtained data with increase in current anode pulse duration the coating thickness grows, coating roughness increases. The latter is related to the fact that with growth of coating thickness increases power, intensity of micro-plasma charges. Whereas increase in dimensions of individual micro-arc charges is observed, warming up takes place in near-electrode layer of the solution.

In the process of study of these coatings for wear resistance (durability) three dimensional images of samples surface with track were obtained; on these pictures it is seen that track width of initial sample without coating exceeds the width of tracks of samples with oxide coating obtained under different current anode pulse duration.

Track areas values for samples without coating and with oxide coating are shown in form of a diagram in figure.

As it is seen from the diagram track areas of samples with oxide coating are significantly less than track area of initial sample, which testifies of high wear resistance of samples with oxide coating. As anode pulse duration increases with coating thickness growth the coating wear resistance increases. Since coating roughness is related to friction ratio, along with roughness increase friction ratio increases as well (table 2).

Table 1

Dependence of thickness and roughness of coatings on current anode pulse duration

Track areas values when performing durability test of samples without coating and with oxide coating obtained under different durations of current anode pulse. 1 – initial sample; 2 – 50 ms; 3 – 100 ms; 4 – 150 ms; 5 – 200 ms

Table 2

Micro-hardness of coating