SBIR Phase I: Novel Micro-Arc Oxidation Method for Applying Wear-Resistant Ceramic Coatings on Lightweight Metals

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目提供了一种在轻质铝表面生产坚硬，均匀涂层的新方法。 该技术使用了一种改进的“微弧”方法，用于施加比传统微弧方法更均匀、更致密和更坚硬的保护性陶瓷涂层。 这将提高铝的机械可靠性、尺寸可预测性和耐磨性。 经过表面处理的铝可在各种应用中用作较重钢的替代品。在更广泛的范围内，需要新的方法来在铝合金和其他类型的金属表面上产生粘附的、耐磨的氧化物涂层。该涂料可用于航空航天、国防、汽车、船舶、医疗、电子、化学、液压/气动和纺织工业等各种商业应用。这种新颖的表面改性方法将产生耐用的均匀涂层，该涂层将表现出高硬度、耐磨性、耐腐蚀性和电阻。

This Small Business Innovation & Research (SBIR) Phase I project offers a novel approach for producing a hard, uniform coating on the surface of lightweight aluminum. The technique uses a modified "micro-arc" approach for applying protective ceramic coatings that are much more uniform, denser and harder than conventional micro-arc approaches. This will increase the mechanical reliability, dimensional predictability, and wear-resistance of aluminum. The surface-treated aluminum can be used as a replacement for heavier steel in various applications. In a broader scope, novel methods are needed to produce adherent, wear-resistant oxide coatings on the surface of the aluminum alloys and other types of metals. The coating will find use in a wide variety of commercial applications involving the aerospace, defense, automotive, marine, medical, electronic, chemical, hydraulic/pneumatic, and textile industries. This novel surface modification approach will create a durable uniform coating that will exhibit high hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and electrical resistance.