Determination of Current Efficiency of Anodic Film Formation in the Molten Melt by ICP-AES

The results of the current efficiency measurements using the ICP-AES technique are described in this paper. The specimen, of known surface area, was anodized in the anodizing cell containing a known melt volume. After anodizing, trace amounts of any aluminum ions in the melt were analyzed by the ICP-AES technique. From Faraday's law, when the amount of aluminum in the melt after anodizing is zero, the current efficiency of the film formation is 100 %. When the amount of aluminum in the electrolyte is not zero, the charge carried by these aluminum ions is effectively wasted, i.e. such ions are not employed in solid film growth, and the current efficiency falls from 100 %. Anodic films were formed at various anodizing conditions in the molten melt under the following conditions;