ENHANCING SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF AA2024-T3 AIRCRAFT ALLOY THROUGH SYNERGISTIC ANODIZATION AND CERIUM CONVERSION COATING. PART II: MODIFICATION OF SURFACE PROPERTIES AND TOPOLOGY

Abstract

The present research is dedicated to the systematic characterization of the surface characteristics of AA2024-T3 specimens, after the formation of Anodic Aluminium Oxide (AAO) layer, deposition of a Ceruim Conversion Coating (CeCC) and combination of these methods. The latter procedure was performed at two temperatures (20°C and 50°C). The investigations comprised combined AAO/CeCC coating primers, as well. All the obtained protective layers were subjected to systematic evaluations for determination of their colour characteristics, wettability and topology. The latter, including the layer thickness, was observed by both Optical Metallographic (OMM) and Scanning Electron (SEM) Microscopy. The outcome analysis of this study provides an additional contribution to the contemporary discussion on the formation of combined AAO/CeCC coating primers.