Effects of residual water in the pores of aluminum anodic oxide layers prior to sealing on corrosion resistance

The effects of residual water in the pores of aluminum anodic oxide layers before the sealing process on corrosion resistance were studied. When residual water was present in pores before cold NiF2 sealing, corrosion resistance was dramatically increased especially in acid chloride electrolyte. It is considered that residual water in pores provides paths that allow sealing media to diffuse through the oxide layer, thereby sealing pores up to inner side of porous layer nearby barrier layer. For hydrothermal sealing, corrosion resistance improvements by residual water were also observed. However, improvements in corrosion resistance by cold NiF2 sealing were greater than those achieved by hydrothermal sealing, due to cracks formation.