Effect of cerium (IV) on thin sulfuric acid anodizing of 2024-T3 alloy

Chromic acid anodizing (CAA) is still being used today for corrosion protection of fatigue-critical components in the aeronautic industry due to lack feasible alternatives. Ce-containing sulfuric (SAA) has been identified as a promising strategy development alternatives toxic CAA. This work explores thin (TSAA) focusing on following effects: (i) current density and voltage values; (ii) concentration Ce(IV). Screening optimum combination search minimum thickness best resistance was performed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Two anodic films were selected further investigated comparison with inhibitor-free film terms morphology (FEG-SEM, TEM), composition (RBS), (EIS, NSST), high-cycle fatigue paint adhesion. The results indicate that path approach CAA performance lies through (<1 ?m) SAA-Ce formed at low density.