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A simple and cost-effective technology for on-site ceramic coating of metals using PEO Surface Treatment, which does not rely on traditional electrolytic bath.
About
PEO is one of the most common surface treatment methods for ceramic coating formation on metallic substrate. Conventual PEO approach is usually applied on metals to obtain surface properties such as high electrical insulation, corrosion and wear resistance, as well as excellent performance. These obtained properties lead to ceramic coated metals use in medical, oil and gas, automotive, and aerospace industries. However, conventual PEO ceramic coating of metals has two main disadvantages; the size limitation of the treated workpieces and the requirement for special-equipped electrolytic bath. Researchers at the Materials Research Center of Ariel University developed a mobile applicator and unique formulations of electrolytes (foam, gel and paste) to conduct on-site PEO surface treatment without the need to use traditional electrolytic bath: • The applicator for foam electrolyte - applicable for treatment of workpieces with a cleavage surfaces in any 3D orientation. • The applicator for paste electrolyte - applicable for treatment of precise located surface zones. • The applicator for gel electrolyte - applicable for treatment of hard-reachable sites in a workpiece. The proposed technology has the following advantages over the traditional electrolytic bath: • Mobility of the system. • On-site working (repairing of different workpieces). • Easy obtaining of protective coating on already assembled parts and constructions. Although PEO is typically applied to valve metals, ferrous based metals can also be treated by first applying an Al coating and then applying the no-bath method.
Key Benefits
Instead of the necessity of transporting parts to a bath for oxidation, we have developed a no-bath PEO process, which may be applied in situ, using gel, foam or paste electrolytes. This may be a useful method to apply PEO coating to parts which are very large, already installed or require on-site repair. In comparison with conventional anodizing, PEO gives superior corrosion resistance, hardness, and environmental friendliness. We developed a mobile applicator and unique formulations of electrolytes (foam, gel and paste) to conduct on-site PEO surface treatment without the need to use traditional electrolytic bath: • The applicator for foam electrolyte - applicable for treatment of workpieces with a cleavage surfaces in any 3D orientation. • The applicator for paste electrolyte - applicable for treatment of precise located surface zones. • The applicator for gel electrolyte - applicable for treatment of hard-reachable sites in a workpiece. The proposed technology has the following advantages over the traditional electrolytic bath: • Mobility of the system. • On-site working (repairing of different workpieces). Easy obtaining of protective coating on already assembled parts and constructions.
Applications
Automotive, Aeronautics, Aerospace, anywhere there is challenging environment for metals.