Open AccessA novel, structurally coloured coating for aluminium alloys
Author(s) -
Ian Mardon,
Fengyan Hou,
Chris Goode
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1048/1/012018
Subject(s) - anodizing , aluminium , materials science , coating , corrosion , conversion coating , metallurgy , composite material
Current approaches to coat aluminium surfaces that use paints and organic coatings to protect them from corrosion and provide an aesthetic finish, are also energy intensive and involve high emissions of VOCs. The use of these coatings is becoming increasingly restricted by global efforts towards more environmentally sustainable surface finishing technologies. A recent development based on porous anodised aluminium (PAA) and metal nanowire deposits is presented here, which may become a competitive alternative to paint and organic coatings. Anodising and electrodeposition do not emit VOCs and are less energy intensive. By controlling the conditions for anodising and metal electrodeposition, coatings in a wide spectrum of colours can be produced, including greys, black, blues, purples, and greens. Characterisation of the coating morphologies and corresponding colours agrees with simulated results based on the Fresnel equations and Bruggeman Mixed Media Approximations.