Effects of graphene content in alkaline silicate electrolyte on AA1060 pure aluminum micro‐arc oxidation coating

Abstract Ceramic coatings were obtained by micro‐arc oxidation (MAO) on the surface of AA1060 pure aluminum in alkaline silicate electrolyte with the addition of graphene. The effects of graphene contents in the range of 0–.30 g/L in the electrolyte on surface morphology, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance of the ceramic coatings were investigated. The outer surface structure, outer surface element content, coating cross‐section structure, coating cross‐section element content, coating/substrate interface structure, and coating phase were characterized by scanning electron microscope and X‐ray diffraction. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to evaluate the corrosion behavior of MAO samples in a 3.5‐wt% NaCl solution. In addition, the resistance to sliding and abrasive wear of the oxide coating were studied experimentally. The results show that the alkaline silicate electrolyte with the addition of graphene has a significant effect on the characteristics of MAO coating. The performance of micro‐arc oxide coatings is best when the graphene content in the electrolyte is .15 g/L, the average thickness of the film is 7.24 μm, the average pore size is 6.07 μm, the impedance value is approximately 4.01 × 106 Ω, and its friction coefficient is .55.