Innovative Method for high quality and highly adherent metal coating onto aluminium surfaces

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 14697.1;6 PFIW-IW

Short description (German)

Innovative Method for high quality and highly adherent metal coating onto aluminium surfaces

Short description (English)

Innovative Method for high quality and highly adherent metal coating onto aluminium surfaces

Abstract (German)

This project aims to develop a novel method for replacing the conventional zincate process used in industry for coating of aluminium. The process should improve dramatically the adhesion between the aluminium and the metallic top coating. Instead of removing the Al2O3, the method is based on the nanostructuration of aluminium with porous alumina where metal (nickel) will anchor in the pores and overgrow onto it. The challenges of the project is to define correct anodisation parameters for tuned porosity of the under-layer in combination with innovative plating conditions to fill the nanopores to achieve a coating interface fracture toughness to 4MPam0.5.

Abstract (English)

This project aims to develop a novel method for replacing the conventional zincate process used in industry for coating of aluminium. The process should improve dramatically the adhesion between the aluminium and the metallic top coating. Instead of removing the Al2O3, the method is based on the nanostructuration of aluminium with porous alumina where metal (nickel) will anchor in the pores and overgrow onto it. The challenges of the project is to define correct anodisation parameters for tuned porosity of the under-layer in combination with innovative plating conditions to fill the nanopores to achieve a coating interface fracture toughness to 4MPam0.5.