Characteristics of Cr(III)-based Conversion Coating Solution to Apply Aluminum Alloys for Improving Anti-corrosion Properties

It is imperative to find environment-friendly coatings as an alternative to the currently used hexavalent chromate conversion coatings for the purpose of improving the anti-corrosion properties of aluminum alloys. Hence, in this study, the corrosion properties of a trivalent chromate conversion coating solution are analyzed and measured. Because of the presence of multiple components in trivalent chromate conversion coating solutions, it is difficult to control plating, attributed to their mutual organic relationship. It is of significance to determine the concentrations of the components present in these coatings; hence, qualitative and quantitative analysis is required. The coating solution contained not only an environment-friendly component chromium(III), but also zirconium, fluorine, sulfur, and potassium, in the coating film. These metals are confirmed to produce a film with improved corrosion resistance to form a thin layer. The excellent corrosion resistance for the trivalent chromate solution is attributed to various inorganic and organic additives.