The use of surface modification techniques for the corrosion protection of aluminum and aluminum alloys

Surface modification techniques such as ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) and radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) offer a means to produce surfaces with unique and improved properties. This paper reviews the advantages of the IBAD and PECVD processes and discusses the preparation and pitting corrosion behavior of IBAD modified aluminum surfaces and PECVD coatings on a 7075 aluminum alloy. Pitting potential values for the base materials and for the base materials with silicon nitride IBAD, tantalum oxide IBAD, or PECVD diamond-like carbon coatings were determined in deaerated 0.1M NaCl solutions. The thickness of the modified region ranged from 0.01 to 5.0 {micro}m. All three coatings improved the resistance to pit initiation.