Study of electrolyte concentration on TiO2 deposition on 1230 aluminum alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Full text: In this work, the incorporation of commercial titanium dioxide in the form of powder (anatase), in 1230 aluminum alloy, and concentration electrolyte was studied.The samples were treated by plasma electrolytic oxidation, where electrolyte concentration was varied at 2, 2,5, 3 g/L for KOH and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 g/L of TiO2. The parameters of PEO was settled at 450 V, 300 Hz and 60% duty, in potentiostatic mode. The samples were analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy (MEV), Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Contact Perfilometry and Goniometer. Results shows that dioxide titanium deposition increases with the increase of concentration, XRD showed alumina for the lower concentrations and anatase and rutile for higher concentrations. The morphology for the samples was porous and with coalescence and larger pores and round shapes for higher concentrations, showing agglomeration of dioxide titanium powder. FTIR showed Al-O, Ti-O and O-H bonds. Roughness varied from 115 to 7643 nm. Wettability was 98 to 0°. (author)