Hot AC Anodising as a Cr(VI)-free Pre-treatment for Structural Bonding of Aluminium

Hot AC anodising has been evaluated us pre-treatment for aluminium prior to structural adhesive bonding. Phosphoric and sulphuric acid hot AC anodising showed very promising adhesion promoter capabilities with durability comparable with the best standard DC anodising procedures. AC anodising does not required etching prior to anodising and offers u pre-treatment time down to 20 seconds. The interface/interphase between the aluminium substrate and the adhesive was investigated in order to get a better understanding of the involved adhesion mechanisms and to explain the long-tenn properties. The alkaline medium formed at the oxide layer/adhesive interface has been shown to induce a partial dissolution of the oxide layer leading to the formation of metallic ions which diffuse in the adhesive (EPMA measurements). The effect of diffusion of the Al ions on adhesion and joint durability is still uncertain but studies showed that pre-bond moisture affected the joints durability and to some extent the diffusion length. specially for DC anodised samples. So far no direct correlation could be established between the diffusion length d and the joints durability but new trials with better control over the elapsed time between bonding and adhesive curing are expected to help getting a better understanding of the involved mechanisms.