Study on Anticorrosive Cerium Conversion Coating of Cf/6061Al Composite Surface

The optimum chemical passivation process of the rare earth metal (REM) conversion coating on the Cf/6061Al composite surface was introduced in this paper and its polarization curves properties were investigated. Ridge-like coatings were found by scanning electro microscope (SEM) observations, and the Al matrix and carbon fibre reinforcement were both coated with Ce conversion coatings, with some minor cracks. The energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) plane scan analysis indicates that the major elements in the coating are Ce, O, Si, Al and the Ce content reaches 47.48% (mass fraction). The Ce conversion coatings increase the corrosion resisting properties of Cf/6061Al composite, with a higher free corrosion potential (ECOTI) and a lower free corrosion current density (icorr) for the coated composite than those of the bare composite. And the Boehmite-treatment would enhance the corrosion resistance of the REM conversion coating. The cathodic polarization and anodic polarization were retarded by REM conversion coating, resulting in an improved corrosion resistance.